Syria's new government has condemned the direct targeting of a group of Al Arabiya journalists while they were covering events near the Syrian-Lebanese border on March 17, state media reported.

Caught on camera, the attack, which involved guided missiles launched by Hezbollah militia, followed the abduction and execution of three Syrian government soldiers the previous day across the border area between the two countries.

The ministry said: “This attack constitutes a gross violation of international laws and norms that protect journalists while carrying out their duties. It also called on the Lebanese government to take responsibility and hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Syria's news agency (SANA) reported, citing the General Directorate of Media in Homs Governorate, that a photographer and a journalist were injured near the Syrian-Lebanese border close to the Zita Dam after being directly targeted by a guided missile fired by Hezbollah.

Al Arabiya TV announced that its photographer, Rostam Salah, was injured after Hezbollah targeted journalists on the Syrian-Lebanese border. The channel also released a video capturing the moment of the attack.

Al Jazeera reported that two civilians were killed and eight Syrian soldiers died due to Hezbollah's shelling in the Homs countryside. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding civilian or military casualties.

The clashes on the Syrian-Lebanese border erupted after Hezbollah kidnapped and executed three Syrian soldiers on March 16. 

A video circulated on social media and reviewed by Enabbaldi showed a Syrian soldier being stoned before being executed.

In response, Syria's Ministry of Defense vowed to retaliate for the killings, and the Syrian army targeted Hezbollah positions along the border, sending reinforcements to the area.

The Lebanese Army stated that several Lebanese villages and towns in the border region were shelled from Syrian territory. In response, military units retaliated against the sources of fire with appropriate weapons and increased their presence to maintain security.

The army added, "Communications continue between the military leadership and Syrian authorities to maintain order and stability in the border area."

Hezbollah denied any involvement in the events on the Syrian border, stating in a statement, "We confirm that we have no connection to any events inside Syria." However, field sources reported that some of the group's units withdrew from several positions inside Lebanese territory along the Syrian border, coinciding with ongoing Syrian shelling.