Syria Foils 'Terrorist Infiltration Attempt' from Lebanon
Syrian forces on Wednesday "killed and wounded members of a terrorist group who attempted to infiltrate from Lebanese territory via the Joussiyeh border crossing in Qusayr's countryside" in Homs, Syria's state news agency SANA quoted a local source as saying.
"The group opened fire on border guards and security checkpoints in Joussiyeh's farms, before our armed forces confronted it and left most of its members dead or wounded while the others retreated to Lebanese territory," the source said.
"Mohammed Nour Qubaji, the leader of the group calling itself The Shield of Islam Brigade, was killed in the operation," the source added.
A clash broke out on Lebanon's restive border with Syria on December 15, pitting unidentified armed men on the Lebanese side against Syrian regime troops across the frontier, a security official told Agence France Presse.
"The armed men fired automatic machineguns into Syria, while Syrian troops fired artillery shells and gunfire into Lebanon," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"The clash broke out near the border village of Abboudiyeh, causing dozens of villagers to flee their homes in search of safety," he added.
Ever since the outbreak of the anti-regime revolt in Syria 22 months ago, multiple exchanges of fire have taken place across the border.
The Syrian army has also frequently staged incursions into Lebanese territory and fired shells across the border.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/66086 |