Amid Syria’s internal disarray and ongoing political instability, unresolved issues between Beirut and Damascus continue to stir debate, most notably the longstanding dispute over the Shebaa Farms, a sliver of land at the intersection of the Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli borders.

As speculation grows over whether the Syrian government might formally declare the Shebaa Farms as Syrian territory, experts warn that such a move could have serious diplomatic repercussions for Lebanon, and for Hezbollah’s continued justification of armed resistance.

“If Syria were to announce that the Shebaa Farms are part of Syrian territory, it could be seen as a diplomatic maneuver aimed at resolving the border dispute between Lebanon and Israel,” said Dr. Imad Salameh, head of the Political and International Studies Department at the Lebanese American University.

Speaking to Annahar, Salameh explained that such a declaration could validate Israel’s long-standing claim that the Shebaa Farms fall under Syrian, not Lebanese, sovereignty, and, therefore, are not subject to United Nations Security Council Resolution 425, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Under this scenario, Lebanon would need to act swiftly if it wants to assert its claim over the territory.

“The Lebanese government should immediately move through legal and diplomatic channels,” Salameh said. “That includes formally petitioning the United Nations to establish an international mediation committee tasked with resolving the border dispute.”

According to Salameh, Lebanon would need to provide the committee with maps and documentation proving its historical ownership of the territory and agree in advance to the outcome of the mediation process.

“This pathway could ultimately lead to international recognition of Lebanon’s claim and increase pressure on Israel to withdraw, assuming the Shebaa Farms are confirmed to be occupied Lebanese land,” he said.

However, failure to act, Salameh warned, could deal a significant blow to Lebanon’s position.

“If Lebanon does not take legal action, Syria’s declaration could later be used to undermine, or even invalidate, Lebanon’s claim to the Shebaa Farms,” he said.

The Shebaa Farms dispute has long been a focal point in Lebanon’s internal political battles, particularly for Hezbollah, which has used the unresolved status of the territory to justify its ongoing military operations and weapons arsenal.