Lebanon and Syria Sign Ceasefire Agreement After Violent Cross-Border Clashes
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Hashim Sheikh - . March 18, 2025
- . Update: March 18, 2025 2:43 pm
In a key breakthrough, Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement for a ceasefire after two days of crucial border clashes that claimed 10 lives. The deal, made on March 17, 2025 was between Lebanon’s Defence Minister Michel Menassa and Syria’s counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra. Three Syrian soldiers and seven Lebanese nationals died in the fighting while 52 others were injured on the Lebanese side.
The latest violence which has raised tensions along the mountainous border has been linked to a number of reasons including Hezbollah’s reported role in the clashes. Hezbollah was accused by the Syrian defence ministry of crossing into Syrian territory but the group has denied involvement. A Lebanese security source said that the three Syrian soldiers were killed by local tribesmen armed for self defence who thought their town was under attack.
Following the ceasefire, defense ministers of both nations have agreed to keep regular contact through army intelligence to avoid further clashes. Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raji also met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani in Brussels to discuss cross border developments and committed to ongoing dialogue.
In spite of the ceasefire, Syria has strengthened its military deployment on the border with troops and tanks, indicating continued monitoring of Lebanon action. The situation is still tense and both nations are looking forward to avoiding further destabilization of the region.
