DAMASCUS(Reuters) : The United States has encouraged Syria to consider sending forces into eastern Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah, but Damascus is reluctant to embark on such a mission for fear of being sucked into the war in the Middle East and inflaming sectarian tensions, five people briefed on the matter said.
The proposal to Syria’s US-allied government reflects intensifying moves to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, which opened fire at Israel in support of Tehran on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
The idea was first discussed by US and Syrian officials last year, said two of the sources — both Syrian officials — and two others familiar with the discussions. All spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The idea was raised again by US officials around the time the US and Israel began their war against Iran. The two Syrian officials said a US request came shortly before the war began. A Western intelligence source said it was just after it started.
Reuters spoke to 10 sources for this article — six Syrian officials and government advisors, two Western diplomats, a European official and a Western intelligence source.
All said Syria’s Sunni Islamist-led government had been cautiously considering a cross-border operation but remained hesitant.
US encouragement for a Syrian operation in eastern Lebanon and Syria’s hesitation to carry one out have not previously been reported.
A US State Department spokesperson declined to comment on “private diplomatic communications”, and referred Reuters to the Syrian and Lebanese governments for comments on their operations.
After this story was published, US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who is also ambassador to Turkey, posted on X that “reporting regarding the United States encouraging Syria to send forces into Lebanon is false and inaccurate”.
Damascus offers assurances to Lebanon
Despite historic enmity towards Hezbollah and Tehran — both fought alongside Bashar al-Assad during Syria’s 2011-24 civil war — Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has moved cautiously since US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on Feb 28.
One source, a senior Syrian official, said Damascus and its Arab allies agreed Syria should stay out of the war, and take only defensive measures.
Damascus has deployed rocket units and thousands of troops at the Lebanese frontier since early February, calling these measures defensive.
Syria’s ministries of foreign affairs and information did not respond to requests for comment.
Responding to questions from Reuters, Lebanon’s presidency said it had not received any “hint or notice from the US, the West, the Arab countries or Syria” about US-Syria discussions on a potential cross-border operation.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had held a bilateral call with Sharaa, and a trilateral call also involving France’s president, in which Sharaa said Syria respected Lebanon’s sovereignty and had no intervention plans, the presidency said.
It said Lebanon coordinates with Syria on border arrangements but has never discussed Hezbollah with Damascus.
Lebanon’s military said channels of coordination with Syria remained open “within the framework of addressing border issues and common security challenges”, with the aim of preventing tensions or incidents and ensuring stability in the border area.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Sharaa had told him “the reinforcement of the military presence along the Syrian-Lebanese border aims solely to strengthen border control and maintain internal Syrian security”, and that Sharaa underlined the importance of continued coordination.
Aoun has pursued a policy aimed at securing Hezbollah’s disarmament but Beirut has moved cautiously, with Hezbollah wielding a potent arsenal and enjoying significant support among Lebanese Shi’ite Muslims. Sharaa has said he supports Aoun’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
