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Hezbollah fighters and Syria rebels in deadly clash inside Lebanon Hezbollah fighters and Syria rebels in deadly clash inside Lebanon
(4 months later)
Syrian rebels have fought with Hezbollah gunmen in a deadly clash on Lebanese soil, a security official and local media said on Sunday, in the latest sign that Syria's civil war is spilling over the country's borders.Syrian rebels have fought with Hezbollah gunmen in a deadly clash on Lebanese soil, a security official and local media said on Sunday, in the latest sign that Syria's civil war is spilling over the country's borders.
It was the worst clash between the two sides on Lebanese territory since the outbreak of the Syria conflict more than two years ago. The violence highlighted the growing risk that the fighting in Syria poses to Lebanon, whose volatile sectarian makeup mirrors that of its neighbour.It was the worst clash between the two sides on Lebanese territory since the outbreak of the Syria conflict more than two years ago. The violence highlighted the growing risk that the fighting in Syria poses to Lebanon, whose volatile sectarian makeup mirrors that of its neighbour.
Tensions between Hezbollah and Syria's rebels have risen sharply since the Lebanese militia stepped up its armed support for President Bashar al-Assad's regime last month.Tensions between Hezbollah and Syria's rebels have risen sharply since the Lebanese militia stepped up its armed support for President Bashar al-Assad's regime last month.
Rebel fighters have threatened to attack Hezbollah bases in Lebanon, and on Saturday 18 rockets and mortar rounds hit the eastern Baalbek region, a Hezbollah stronghold.Rebel fighters have threatened to attack Hezbollah bases in Lebanon, and on Saturday 18 rockets and mortar rounds hit the eastern Baalbek region, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Overnight, Hezbollah apparently encircled and ambushed a group of Syrian rebels and allied Lebanese fighters they suspected of firing on Baalbek, the Lebanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.Overnight, Hezbollah apparently encircled and ambushed a group of Syrian rebels and allied Lebanese fighters they suspected of firing on Baalbek, the Lebanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He said a Hezbollah fighter and several rebels were killed in the clashes in a remote area between Baalbek and the Syrian border.He said a Hezbollah fighter and several rebels were killed in the clashes in a remote area between Baalbek and the Syrian border.
The Lebanese TV station Al-Mayadeen, seen as sympathetic to the Syrian regime, quoted Lebanese security officials as saying 17 fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra, a rebel group linked to al-Qaida, were killed in the fighting.The Lebanese TV station Al-Mayadeen, seen as sympathetic to the Syrian regime, quoted Lebanese security officials as saying 17 fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra, a rebel group linked to al-Qaida, were killed in the fighting.
The growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Syrian rebels trying to oust Assad are linked to a government offensive against the rebel-held town of Qusair in western Syria.The growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Syrian rebels trying to oust Assad are linked to a government offensive against the rebel-held town of Qusair in western Syria.
Hezbollah's involvement in the battle for control of the strategic town has exposed its growing role in the conflict, prompting rebel threats to target Hezbollah's bases in Lebanon.Hezbollah's involvement in the battle for control of the strategic town has exposed its growing role in the conflict, prompting rebel threats to target Hezbollah's bases in Lebanon.
On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN humanitarian agencies expressed alarm over the fate of thousands of civilians believed to be trapped in Qusair, including many wounded, and called on both sides to allow aid to reach the town.On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN humanitarian agencies expressed alarm over the fate of thousands of civilians believed to be trapped in Qusair, including many wounded, and called on both sides to allow aid to reach the town.
The ICRC said that "many of the wounded are not receiving the medical care they need desperately" and that food, water and medical supplies were scarce. The UN agencies called for an immediate ceasefire to allow civilians to leave the town.The ICRC said that "many of the wounded are not receiving the medical care they need desperately" and that food, water and medical supplies were scarce. The UN agencies called for an immediate ceasefire to allow civilians to leave the town.
On Sunday, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, called the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, to express concern about the situation in Qusair, according to Syria's state-run news agency SANA.On Sunday, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, called the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, to express concern about the situation in Qusair, according to Syria's state-run news agency SANA.
Moallem, however, told Ban that the ICRC and other aid agencies will only be able to enter Qusair "after the end of military operations there".Moallem, however, told Ban that the ICRC and other aid agencies will only be able to enter Qusair "after the end of military operations there".
Fighting has already dragged on for three weeks and so far neither side has been able to deliver a decisive blow. Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters launched the offensive against Qusair in mid-May and gained ground, but rebels have been able to defend some positions.Fighting has already dragged on for three weeks and so far neither side has been able to deliver a decisive blow. Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters launched the offensive against Qusair in mid-May and gained ground, but rebels have been able to defend some positions.
Low-flying Israeli warplanes also violated Lebanese airspace, overflying Beirut, the eastern Bekaa valley and Baalbek.Low-flying Israeli warplanes also violated Lebanese airspace, overflying Beirut, the eastern Bekaa valley and Baalbek.
The Lebanese president, Michel Suleiman, said Beirut would lodge a complaint with the UN about Israel's "extensive" violations of Lebanese airspace. There was no immediate comment from Israel.The Lebanese president, Michel Suleiman, said Beirut would lodge a complaint with the UN about Israel's "extensive" violations of Lebanese airspace. There was no immediate comment from Israel.
The flights come amid heightened regional tensions because of the civil war in Syria. Israel is believed to have carried out three airstrikes inside Syria this year, said to be aimed at weapons destined for Hezbollah.The flights come amid heightened regional tensions because of the civil war in Syria. Israel is believed to have carried out three airstrikes inside Syria this year, said to be aimed at weapons destined for Hezbollah.
Also on Sunday, a car bomb killed at least three people in the Damascus suburb of Jobar, a Syrian government official said on condition of anonymity.Also on Sunday, a car bomb killed at least three people in the Damascus suburb of Jobar, a Syrian government official said on condition of anonymity.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition group, said the blast targeted a police station and killed nine Syrian soldiers. It said that Jabhat al-Nusra carried out the attack.The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition group, said the blast targeted a police station and killed nine Syrian soldiers. It said that Jabhat al-Nusra carried out the attack.
SANA blamed the blast on a suicide bomber. The observatory and SANA said the explosion took place amid heavy fighting. Jobar is a scene of frequent clashes, with rebels trying to push from there toward the capital.SANA blamed the blast on a suicide bomber. The observatory and SANA said the explosion took place amid heavy fighting. Jobar is a scene of frequent clashes, with rebels trying to push from there toward the capital.
The army has been conducting major sweeps through opposition strongholds around Damascus, including Jobar.The army has been conducting major sweeps through opposition strongholds around Damascus, including Jobar.
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