US Pushes Syria to Send Troops Against Hezbollah, Damascus Reluctant

Washington has urged Syria's new government to deploy forces into eastern Lebanon to help disarm the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, according to multiple sources. Syrian officials say Damascus remains hesitant to take such action, fearing it could drag the country into the broader Middle East conflict and spark sectarian violence.

DAMASCUS – Washington has urged Syria’s new leadership to deploy military forces into eastern Lebanon to assist in dismantling Hezbollah, though Syrian officials remain wary of such an operation due to concerns about being drawn into regional warfare and sparking religious conflicts, according to five individuals with knowledge of the discussions.

The suggestion to Syria’s pro-American administration demonstrates escalating efforts to neutralize the Iran-supported militant organization, which began attacking Israel in solidarity with Tehran on March 2, triggering Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

According to two Syrian government officials and two other knowledgeable sources, American and Syrian representatives initially explored this concept last year. All sources requested anonymity given the delicate nature of these discussions.

American officials brought up the proposal again around the period when the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran. The Syrian officials indicated the American request arrived shortly before hostilities commenced, while a Western intelligence contact said it came just after fighting began.

Reuters consulted ten sources for this report – six Syrian government officials and advisors, two Western diplomatic representatives, one European official, and one Western intelligence contact. All confirmed that Syria’s Sunni Islamic-led administration had been carefully weighing a cross-border military action while maintaining reservations.

Neither American support for Syrian intervention in eastern Lebanon nor Syria’s reluctance to proceed have been previously disclosed.

A State Department representative refused to discuss “private diplomatic communications” and directed inquiries to Syrian and Lebanese authorities regarding their military activities.

DAMASCUS PROVIDES GUARANTEES TO LEBANON

Despite longstanding hostility toward Hezbollah and Iran – both supported Bashar al-Assad throughout Syria’s 2011-24 civil conflict – Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has proceeded carefully since U.S.-Israeli air operations against Iran commenced February 28.

A senior Syrian government source revealed that Damascus and its Arab partners agreed Syria should avoid the conflict and implement only protective actions.

Since early February, Damascus has positioned rocket batteries and thousands of soldiers along the Lebanese border, describing these deployments as defensive measures.

Syria’s foreign affairs and information ministries did not respond to comment requests.

When questioned by Reuters, Lebanon’s presidential office stated it had received no “indication or notification from the U.S., Western nations, Arab countries or Syria” regarding American-Syrian talks about potential cross-border operations.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun conducted a bilateral conversation with Sharaa and participated in a three-way call including France’s president, during which Sharaa affirmed Syria’s respect for Lebanese sovereignty and denied intervention intentions, the presidency reported.

Lebanon coordinates with Syria on border arrangements but has never discussed Hezbollah matters with Damascus, according to the statement.

Lebanon’s armed forces said coordination channels with Syria remain active “within the scope of managing border matters and shared security concerns,” aiming to prevent tensions or incidents while ensuring border region stability.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Sharaa informed him that “the strengthening of military presence along the Syrian-Lebanese border serves only to enhance border security and preserve internal Syrian safety,” emphasizing the importance of ongoing coordination.

Aoun has pursued policies designed to achieve Hezbollah’s disarmament, but Beirut has proceeded carefully given Hezbollah’s powerful weapons arsenal and substantial backing among Lebanese Shiite Muslims.

Sharaa has expressed support for Aoun’s disarmament initiatives.

DAMASCUS PERCEIVES RISK OF IRANIAN STRIKES, MINORITY UNREST

The senior Syrian official revealed Washington had authorized an operation into eastern Lebanon to assist Lebanese disarmament efforts – when conditions are appropriate.

However, Damascus identified risks including potential Iranian missile strikes and possible unrest among minority Shiites, threatening efforts to stabilize Syria following sectarian violence last year.

Two Western diplomatic sources also confirmed Washington had endorsed the concept of Syrian cross-border action against Hezbollah. The Western intelligence source and European official said America had requested Syria’s military take a more aggressive role countering Hezbollah in Lebanon, including through possible eastern incursions.

The Western intelligence source and European official noted Syria’s leadership was cautious about entering Lebanon as this could worsen bilateral relations.

A Syrian military official said no final determination had been made regarding any potential Lebanese operation, but the possibility of intervention during a conflict between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah remained under consideration.

SYRIAN CONTROL UNDER THE ASSADS

Syria extensively controlled Lebanon under Assad family rule, deploying forces in 1976 during the 1975-90 civil war following President Suleiman Frangieh’s invitation and managing Lebanon’s post-war political landscape until withdrawing in 2005.

Any Syrian military action could intensify sectarian conflicts in both Syria and Lebanon, nations containing diverse religious communities including Sunnis, Christians, Druze and Shiites.

During a March 13 interview with Lebanese network MTV, Syrian Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Hassan Abdel Ghani characterized the border buildup as a protective measure. He noted extensive coordination with Lebanon’s military and said Sharaa supported establishing Lebanese governmental control throughout Lebanon.

Recently, Syria’s army reported Hezbollah artillery rounds struck a border village. Hezbollah claimed it had defeated an Israeli infiltration attempt from the same location. Israeli authorities said they were unaware of any such mission. Syria’s military stated it was “evaluating suitable options to implement necessary responses.”