BEIRUT

The Lebanese army said Monday that it was communicating with Syrian authorities to maintain security and stability along the border between the two countries.

On Sunday, Syrian authorities accused Hezbollah of kidnapping and killing three security personnel, an accusation denied by the Lebanese group.

A Lebanese military statement said it is in contact with Syrian authorities, explaining that the bodies of the three Syrian soldiers had been handed over to Damascus.

According to the army, Lebanese border villages came under artillery shelling from the Syrian side, prompting the Lebanese military to respond to the fire.

“Contacts are ongoing between the Lebanese army and Syrian authorities to maintain security and stability along the border area,” it added.

The Lebanon-Syria border, spanning 375 kilometers (233 miles), features rugged terrain with no clear demarcation in many areas. While six official border crossings exist, the region remains porous, with frequent activity at unauthorized routes.

Hezbollah had maintained strong ties with the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad, who governed from 2000 to 2024.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.