The Lebanese Hezbollah group claimed that they have shot down an Israeli army helicopter in the eastern mountains, the Kurdish Rudaw news quoted a Hezbollah official said. Meanwhile, official Lebanese media reported the “withdrawal of Israeli forces” and ongoing heavy clashes in the area.
“An Israeli helicopter was shot down in the mountains east of Baalbek,” a Hezbollah official told AFP on Monday morning, March 9. The development comes amid intense clashes in border areas between Lebanon and Syria. Israeli forces reportedly landed by helicopter in the eastern mountain ranges near the Syrian border, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.
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The agency reported that “heavy clashes” were taking place around the town of Nabi Shit after Hezbollah fighters confronted Israeli forces attempting to advance. Two other Hezbollah sources also confirmed to the news agency AFP that the helicopter was shot down during the landing operation.
The incident comes as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has entered a new and more dangerous phase, particularly in the strategic border areas between Lebanon and Syria, which are considered key strongholds for Hezbollah.