Russians carrying 'Syrian regime military fatigues' detained in Lebanon

Three Russian nationals 'in possession of' Syrian regime uniforms have been confronted by the Lebanese Army in the northern Akkar region on Tuesday according to a report in local media.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

25 April, 2017

Lebanese Army forces are deployed along Lebanon's border with Syria [Archive/Getty]

The Lebanese army have detained three Russian nationals in a town close to country's border with Syria, according to a report in Lebanon's English-language Daily Star newspaper.

The three Russians were allegedly detained in the town of Abboudieh - in the northern Akkar region - and "in possession" of Syrian army military fatigues.

They were caught after crossing the border into Lebanon from Syria, according to a security source who spoke to the Lebanese daily.

At the time of publication the Lebanese army had not issued a statement to either corroborate or deny the claims made by the English-language publication and no other details were provided.

Russia is a firm backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and aiding the regime in its war against opposition forces.

Moscow's military intervention in support of the Syrian regime began in September 2015, and Russian forces have since helped to turn the tide against the Syrian rebels and bolstered Assad's position.

The Syrian regime has also received support from the Lebanese Shia paramilitary group Hizballah, which is heavily involved in the fighting in Syria and is financially backed by Iran.

Hundreds of Russian nationals have also travelled to Syria in order to join the Islamic State group and the al-Qaeda linked Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

In 2016, Russian and Arab media outlets reported that Russia was seeking a deal to provide military aid to the Lebanese army in order to combat potential "terror threats".

Instability in Lebanon has intermittently erupted as a result of a spillover from fighting in Syria, particularly along the country's border region.

In one notable incident in August 2014, gunmen from IS and Fatah al-Sham's predecessor, al-Nusra Front, temporarily overran the Bekaa border town of Arsal, taking captive numerous Lebanese servicemen.

Since Syria's civil war began in 2011 the Lebanese Army has received billions in military aid from countries including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and France.