Syrian Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Hussein Abdul Ghani confirmed that the military buildup on the border with Lebanon is part of “purely precautionary defensive measures” that the Syrian government had initiated before the current war in the region and reinforced after the war began, emphasizing that it has no offensive character and does not target any country or party.

He explained that this deployment aims to “protect and secure the Syrian borders amid rapidly evolving regional developments,” noting that what is happening is “normal in a region experiencing high tension,” and that the Syrian state is acting within its sovereign responsibilities.

He pointed out that there is ongoing coordination with the Lebanese army, clarifying that “any deployment is carried out in full coordination, and there is daily communication between the two sides to ensure stability along the border.”

Regarding security concerns, he acknowledged that there are attempts to use Syrian territory to launch missiles or drag the region into escalation, confirming that the Syrian army “is taking the necessary measures to prevent this and protect sovereignty.”

On the issue of what Reuters reported about a U.S. request for Syrian forces to enter Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah, he stated that this matter “has not been officially raised” with Damascus, adding that “even if such a proposal exists, the decision remains a Syrian sovereign matter and is made according to the state’s interests.”

These statements come amid reports that Washington encouraged Damascus to consider sending forces to eastern Lebanon as part of efforts related to disarming Hezbollah, but Syria is approaching the proposal cautiously, fearing being drawn into a wider regional conflict.

The Defense Ministry spokesman emphasized that “Syria’s interest today is stability, as is Lebanon’s,” stressing that Damascus “is focused on rebuilding its institutions and economy and does not seek to drag the region into war or tension, but rather to avoid any escalation.”

He concluded by saying that “Lebanon’s stability is part of Syria’s stability, and vice versa,” referring to the interconnected security of the two countries.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack described the reports suggesting that the United States encouraged Syria to send forces to Lebanon as “false and inaccurate.”