Rockets from Syria land in Lebanon as clerics declare jihad against Assad
A Lebanese man walks on April 23, 2013 near a whole on the roof of a building after a rocket purportedly fired from neighboring Syria fell in the town of Hermel in eastern Lebanon. On April 20, six shells fell across the border in Lebanon. One of the shells hit the town of Hermel in eastern Lebanon — a stronghold of the Hezbollah — the first time violence from Syria spilled over into the town.
Two rockets fired by Syrian rebels landed in a Shiite area of Lebanon Tuesday.
The attacks were a part of a number of rebel rockets that have landed in Lebanon recently, raising tensions between Sunnis and Shiites.
Two people in Lebanon died from rocket fire from over the border in recent weeks.
Rocket attacks by rebels have fallen deeper and deeper into the country, including the town of Hermel, a Hezbollah stronghold.
The Syrian conflict has long threatened to spill into Lebanon with the latter divided between supporters and opponents of Assad.
On Monday, two prominent Sunni Lebanese clerics called for holy war, or jihad, against Syria's president.
The most recent rockets landed just as two Christian bishops in Syria were released after being captured by rebels.
Their driver was shot dead but the two bishops were released unharmed.
The conflict in Syria is in its third year, with rebels occupying cities in the north and the Syrian regime still in control of the coastline and the capital, Damascus.
The attacks also come amid Israeli claims that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against the rebels.
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned NATO that Syria could see the increasing use of such weapons and urged members to boost their support of the rebels.
The US recently pledged over $100 million in new non-military aid to rebels battling Assad.