Syria Complains to Lebanon About British-built Border Towers

The Syrian government has officially expressed concerns to Lebanon regarding surveillance towers built along the Lebanese-Syrian border. This area stretches from the Grand River’s northern mouth to beyond Rashaya in the Bekaa Valley, as reported by al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry has sent a letter to its Lebanese counterpart, flagging these British-constructed towers as a security threat to Syria. The Syrian government alleges that these towers, part of a joint border project between Lebanon and the UK, are equipped with advanced surveillance and espionage technology. This equipment is said to have capabilities for deep penetration into Syrian territory, gathering sensitive information. Syria claims this data not only reaches the UK but also benefits Israel, aiding in airstrikes and operations within Syria.

On the other hand, sources from the British embassy have emphasized the project’s role in bolstering Lebanese state authority along its border and aiding the Lebanese Army in curbing smuggling and other illicit activities. They take pride in the UK’s ongoing support for Lebanon’s military efforts but have not directly addressed the accusations detailed in Syria’s letter.