Syria temporarily closed its Masnaa crossing on the Syrian-Lebanese border, after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for the area, CNN reported on Saturday night.
The IDF announcement stated that the intended airstrikes were due to Hezbollah's use of the crossing "for military purposes and for smuggling means of combat."
The Syrian Authority for Border Crossings and Customs stated that the Masnaa crossing, also known as the Jdeidet Yabous crossing, was “designated exclusively for civilian passage,” CNN said.
“It is not used for any military purposes, there is no presence of any armed groups or militias, and it is not permitted to be used for any activity outside civilian and legal frameworks,” the Syrian authority said.
Syria reinforces Lebanon border
On Tuesday, eight sources from both Lebanon and Syria said that Syria had reinforced its border with Lebanon with rocket units and thousands of troops.
The Syrian officers, including a senior member of the military, said the move was aimed at preventing arms and drugs smuggling as well as blocking Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah or other terrorists from infiltrating Syria.
Reuters contributed to this report.