On February 6, 2025, armed clashes between fighters of the Lebanese Shiite organization Hezbollah and militants of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group took place on the Lebanese-Syrian border. Both sides accuse each other of provocations and claim to have captured prisoners and trophies.

According to sources close to HTS, their fighters crossed the border and entered Lebanese territory, leading to the outbreak of hostilities. In response, channels supporting Hezbollah claim that their fighters, on the contrary, crossed the Syrian border and captured several HTS militants.

Experts note that this section of the border was previously actively used for smuggling and the escalation could be related to the struggle for control over these illegal flows of goods.

After the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria in December 2024, HTS became the dominant force in the region. The UN Security Council has designated the group a terrorist organization, complicating international efforts to stabilize Syria.

In December 2024, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem pledged support for the Syrian army in the fight against HTS militants, emphasizing the need to confront groups seeking to overthrow the government and sow chaos in the region.

The situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border remains tense. Both sides continue to increase their presence in border areas, increasing the risk of further escalation of the conflict.