Lebanese Army Assumes Security in Three Southern Villages Under US-Backed Pilot

The Lebanese army took over security duties in the southern villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al‑Gharbiya on Monday, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. The move is part of a U.S.-backed pilot program that seeks to test a framework for a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and for the eventual disarmament of Hezbollah.

This first implementation marks a significant step toward the broader strategy of reducing hostilities along the Lebanon‑Israel border. By assuming responsibility for local security, the Lebanese forces aim to demonstrate their capacity to maintain stability while the international community monitors progress toward a lasting cease‑fire and the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.