Beirut-Differences have emerged between the Syrian regime and its ally the so-called Lebanese Hezbollah after heavy clashes erupted between the two sides in the northern and southern countrysides of Aleppo amid reports that Syrian warplanes targeted the party’s militants.

The confrontations have left casualties from both sides.

Sources in the Syrian opposition said that Thursday’s clashes were not the first between the two allies.

Member of the Syrian National Coalition Samir al-Nashar told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that an officer and seven Syrian regime forces were killed after mutual accusations turned into a gunfight.

The fighting compelled the regime’s air force to carry out strikes in the areas of Nobol and al-Zahra in Aleppo’s northern countryside. The battles then expanded to the southern countryside, mainly to the area of al-Hader and the outskirts of Khan Touman.

A source in the Syrian National Coalition told Asharq al-Awsat that the differences between the two sides are the result of the behavior of Hezbollah, which has stopped regime forces from ransacking houses and entering areas that they are falling under their control.

The media of the Syrian regime played a key role in bringing the issue to the spotlight through comments made by several pro-Assad journalists.

A Facebook account allegedly belonging to journalist and analyst Sherif Shehade, who is a supporter of the Assad regime, carried the following statement: “National sovereignty is a red line.”

“My sons (Hezbollah). You have come to help us achieve victory and not to rule us,” said the statement.

Reporter Kinana Allouche accused Hezbollah members in the towns of al-Nobol and al-Zahra of
attacking Syrian regime forces.

“The forces should announce that the nation’s army is the pride of the nation and had backed (Hezbollah) in its war against Israel,” she said.

The journalist added: “Don’t mess with us.”