Syrian media reports of heavy fighting early Thursday morning involving Hezbollah fighters against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in two villages of Aleppo’s southern suburbs.

By MAAYAN GROISMAN

The first signs of a rift between Hezbollah and the Syrian regime, which have been cooperating over the past five years in the Syrian civil war, reportedly began emerging amid heavy fighting against rebel factions in Aleppo.

Lebanese Hezbollah supporters march during a religious procession in Nabatieh. – Photo: REUTERS

According to the Syrian news site, Syrian Mirror, heavy clashes broke out between the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hezbollah fighters early Thursday morning in two villages in Aleppo’s southern suburbs.

The fighting between the parties escalated to such an extent that the Syrian Air Force carried out three airstrikes against Hezbollah fighters, which resulted in the killing and injuring of dozens of militants, according to the report.

The skirmishes allegedly broke out because Hezbollah disagreed with the regime’s decision to withdraw its forces from strategic positions in Aleppo, where Hezbollah sacrificed many fighters to prevent opposition factions from gaining hold.

Revelations of hostility between the parties appeared on social media networks as well. A Pro-Assad Syrian Member of Parliament, Sharif Shehadeh, wrote a post on his Facebook page on Thursday lashing out at Hezbollah for violating Syria’s sovereignty.

“National sovereignty is a red line – decisions must always be made by the Syrian army. Any controversy with the allied forces should be resolved as soon as possible, because we are in a period when there is no room for arguments,” Shehadeh wrote.

“My sons in Hezbollah, you came to Syria to support us, not to dominate us. I am asking you to rethink your attitude,” Shehadeh concluded his post.

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