Shots from the Lebanese Syrian border

Over the last week BEIRUTSTATEofMIND has been researching developments in the Qusair region of Homs province - looking at the increased role of Hezbollah, fighting alongside the Syrian regime, in the area in addition to speaking with FSA members taking a break from the conflict in Arsal - a bastion of FSA support in a region (The Bekaa) otherwise monopolized by Hezbollah. The below shots were taken in Hermel - the main base from which Hezbollah fighters cross into Syria to participate in the battle for Qusair; and Wadi Khaled, in the north of the Lebanon where refugees from Qusair are arriving in droves pushing the total of Syrian refugees in the area over 27,000. This in an area with a pre-Syrian civil war population of 40,000 inhabitants. Whilst in Hermel the border is heavily controlled by Hezbollah, in Wadi Khaled, an area of pro-Hariri support, any strong physical regulating of the border appears lacking and locals express a lack of confidence in the Lebanese Army's ability to defend the area against shelling and the occasional infringement of Lebanese sovereignty by Syrian army troops. The vice-president of Wadi Khaled municipality stated simply that the Lebanese army didn't really exist, and that the community feel completely abandoned by the Lebanese government who have failed to provide adequate support to deal with the increasing refugee crisis.

HERMEL

Lebanese Syrian border at Hermel. Lebanon being on the left. The man in military fatigues on the right hand side of the photo is a member of the Syrian Army checking out BEIRUT|STATEofMIND's presence on the border. Originally suspicious his apprehension was alleviated by BEIRUTSTATEofMIND's guide on the visit. A one-handed Hezbollah operative who quickly revealed to the soldier that we were with him - the only explicit reference he made to being a member of the Lebanese Shia party.
18/05/13.

From a Hezbollah safe-house in Hermel. Smoke, the result of Syrian government shelling of Qusair, can be made out on the horizon.
18/05/13.

WADI KHALED

A view into Syria. Lebanon on the right, Syria on the left.
20/05/13.

The city of Qusary can be seen in the background. The sound of shelling is a constant in Wadi Khaled whilst it is far from unusual for the occasional shell from Syria to land in the area.
20/05/13.