The Syrian officers, including a senior member of the military, said the move was aimed at preventing arms and drugs smuggling, and at blocking Iran-backed Hezbollah and other armed groups from infiltrating Syria. A Syrian officer told Reuters that military formations from several Syrian army divisions, including the 52nd and 84th Divisions, have expanded their presence along the border in western Homs countryside and south of Tartus. The reinforcements include infantry units, armored vehicles and short-range Grad and Katyusha rocket launchers, the official said.
The Syrian security official said Damascus had no plans for military action against any neighboring country. “But Syria is prepared to deal with any security threat to itself or its partners,” he said. Still, the move has fueled concern among some European and Lebanese officials over a possible incursion. The Syrian military officers vehemently denied any such plans, saying Syria wants balanced relations with its neighbor after decades of strained ties linked to Syria’s outsized influence in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s support for the former government of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad during a 14-year civil war. Syria had troops stationed in Lebanon from 1976 until 2005 including during Lebanon’s civil war that ended in 1990. (Ed note: Always keep that one eye on the state of Syria.) (Read More)
