Aleppo: Syrian helicopters fired rockets near a Lebanese border area whose residents back the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad, a security official said, in the latest incident raising new concerns of Syria-related escalation in Lebanon.
The late Friday raid was second such Syrian strike against the Sunni-majority border areas in less than a week.
"Syrian helicopters fired rockets at the Wadi Hmeid area near (the town of ) Arsal. There were no casualties," the Lebanese official said on condition of anonymity.
The attack was the latest in a series related to the escalating war in Syria, in which Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah has become fully engaged.
On Wednesday, a Syrian helicopter strafed Arsal, the majority of whose residents are Sunni and support the anti-Assad revolt in Syria.
The latest raid comes soon after the Syrian town of Qusayr was captured by the regime army and Hezbollah fighters from the rebels after nearly three-weeks of fierce fighting.
Ever since the Syrian revolt erupted in March 2011, Arsal has become a key conduit for refugees and wounded people fleeing strife-torn Syria.
Security officials say the town has also served as a passageway for fighters and arms flowing into Syria.
Syria`s civil war has exacerbated sectarian tensions in Lebanon, which is deeply divided between supporters and detractors of Assad`s regime.
Syria dominated Lebanon politically and militarily for 30 years until 2005, and continues to exercise significant influence through its allies.
On Friday, the Lebanese army warned a plot was being hatched to embroil Lebanon in the Syrian war.
AFP
