Syria has sent thousands of troops to the border with Lebanon, including rocket units. This was reported to Reuters news agency by five Syrian army officers, a Syrian security official and two Lebanese security officials.

The Syrian officers said the reinforcement operation began in February but accelerated in recent days, amid escalation surrounding the war and the resumption of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Syrian officers, including a senior military official, said the move is intended to prevent weapons and drug smuggling and to block Hezbollah from infiltrating into Syria.