![The Syrian army dispatch reinforcement units consisting of hundreds of vehicles to Latakia on March 08, 2025 in Jabla, Syria. [Abdulkerim Muhammed - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AA-20250308-37283920-37283918-SYRIAS_SECURITY_FORCES_DEPLOY_TO_LATAKIA_FOR_OPERATIONS_AGAINST_FORMER_REGIME_FORCES-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Syrian Defense Ministry yesterday accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah of abducting and killing three of its soldiers, a claim the group has denied, Anadolu reported.
“A group from the Hezbollah militia set up an ambush, abducted three Syrian Arab Army soldiers on the Syrian-Lebanese border near the Zeita Dam west of Homs, took them into Lebanese territory, and executed them on the spot,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that it would take “all necessary measures in response to this serious escalation by Hezbollah.”
Hezbollah, however, categorically denied any involvement in the incident, according to a statement issued by its media relations office and quoted by the Lebanese news agency.
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“Hezbollah has no connection to any events taking place inside Syrian territory,” the statement read.
According to Anadolu, Syria’s new administration has been working to tighten security across the country and strengthen its grip on the borders, including Lebanon. This effort includes cracking down on drug smugglers and remnants of the former regime who continue to pose security threats.
The Lebanese-Syrian border is characterised by its rugged geography, consisting of mountains, valleys and plains, with few clear demarcations. The two countries share six official land crossings along their 375-kilometre border.
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