Hezbollah Deploys Forces to Syria’s Homs, Report Claims

Hezbollah has deployed a small contingent of forces from Lebanon to Syria to assist in the government’s counteroffensive against a surprise insurgent advance toward the crucial city of Homs. According to sources close to Tehran, elite Hezbollah units crossed from Lebanon into Syria overnight and took up positions in Homs to support the Syrian forces.

The insurgents, who had captured two towns near Homs early on Friday, are now positioned closer to Syria’s third-largest city. Their advance followed the capture of the central city of Hama by opposition fighters, who had earlier seized Aleppo, the country’s largest city.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military reported conducting airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s weapon-smuggling routes along the Syria-Lebanon border, as the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon continues.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated in a televised speech that the group would stand by Syria to prevent further aggression, which he attributed to the United States and Israel. However, Qassem did not clarify whether Hezbollah would send additional fighters to Syria to join the Syrian army’s efforts.