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The United States has privately urged Syria's new government to deploy forces into eastern Lebanon to help dismantle or disarm the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, according to sources familiar with the discussions. However, Syrian authorities have shown strong reluctance, citing fears of drawing the country into a wider regional war and exacerbating sectarian tensions.
The proposal, first reported by Reuters, comes amid heightened efforts by the US and its allies to weaken Hezbollah following its attacks on Israel in support of Iran. Hezbollah opened fire on Israel on March 2, triggering an Israeli offensive in Lebanon as part of the broader Middle East conflict.
Sources briefed on the matter, including two Syrian officials and others with knowledge of the talks, told Reuters that Washington encouraged Damascus to send troops across the border to target Hezbollah positions in eastern Lebanon. The idea reportedly originated last year and gained renewed attention around the onset of US and Israeli military operations against Iran. Accounts differ on the precise timing: Syrian officials claim the request came just before the escalation, while a Western intelligence source placed it shortly after.
US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, swiftly denied the reports. In a post on X, Barrack described the claims that the US encouraged Syrian intervention in Lebanon as "false and inaccurate." The US State Department declined to comment on private diplomatic exchanges.
Syria's government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has maintained a cautious stance, despite historical animosity toward Hezbollah and its Iranian backers. Hezbollah previously supported the former regime of Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war, but the current administration prioritizes avoiding entanglement in ongoing regional conflicts.
A senior Syrian official emphasized that Damascus and its Arab allies have agreed Syria should remain on the sidelines, focusing instead on defensive postures. Since early February, Syria has reinforced its border with Lebanon by deploying thousands of troops, infantry units, armored vehicles, and rocket artillery. Syrian authorities describe these movements as strictly defensive measures to secure borders, combat smuggling, and prevent militant infiltration amid the escalating situation.
Lebanese officials stated they have received no notifications from the US, Syria, or Arab partners regarding any planned cross-border operation. In recent communications—including bilateral and trilateral calls involving Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, French President, and al-Sharaa—Syrian leadership has reiterated respect for Lebanese sovereignty and confirmed no plans for intervention. The Lebanese presidency noted that while border coordination continues, Hezbollah has not been a topic in discussions with Damascus.
Al-Sharaa has publicly expressed support for Lebanon's efforts to disarm Hezbollah, aligning with broader regional diplomatic pushes, but stopped short of committing to direct action.Syria's hesitation underscores the fragile post-civil war recovery and the delicate balance of power in the region. Any involvement could risk retaliation from Iran or its proxies, potentially inflaming sectarian divides and destabilizing the new government.
