Khaberni - Informed sources told Reuters that the United States encouraged Syria to consider sending troops to eastern Lebanon to assist in disarming Hezbollah, although Damascus showed reluctance to undertake such a mission due to fears of being dragged into the ongoing war in the Middle East and inflaming sectarian tensions. American envoy Tom Brack later denied the accuracy of Reuters' report, stating that "reports that the United States is encouraging Syria to send forces to Lebanon are false and inaccurate."
According to two Syrian sources, in addition to two sources familiar with the discussions who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject, the idea was first proposed last year during talks between American and Syrian officials, and was revisited in conjunction with the onset of the American-Israeli war on Iran. Two Syrian officials stated that an American request was made shortly before the war broke out, while a Western intelligence source noted that it occurred after operations had begun.
Six Syrian government officials and advisors, two Western diplomats, a European official, and a Western intelligence source all agreed that the Syrian government cautiously studied the option of a cross-border operation, but remains hesitant. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State declined to comment on "private diplomatic communications," referring Reuters to the Syrian and Lebanese governments for comments about their operations.
A high-ranking Syrian source stated that Damascus and its Arab allies agreed on the need for Syria to stay out of the war and to limit itself to defensive measures. He added that Washington had given the green light for a potential operation in eastern Lebanon to help Beirut disarm Hezbollah "when the time is right." According to Reuters sources, Damascus sees this move as risky, including the potential for Iranian missile attacks and the risk of unrest among Shia minorities, which could threaten stability efforts following last year’s sectarian violence.
Two Western diplomats told the agency that Washington agreed to the idea of a Syrian cross-border operation against Hezbollah, while a Western intelligence source and a European official indicated that the United States requested the Syrian army play a more active role in confronting the party inside Lebanon, including potentially infiltrating the east. The sources added that the Syrian leadership is cautious about entering Lebanon due to potential escalation of bilateral tensions. A Syrian military official stated that no final decision has been made on any operation inside Lebanon, yet the option of intervention in case of a confrontation between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah "remains on the table."
