The war spreads to South Asia: US sinks Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka
On the ground, there is a prevailing feeling of a war that has lost all boundaries and has no end in sight.
BeirutThe early morning brought new explosions that woke several cities in the region. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, plumes of smoke rose from buildings hit in various locations, while artillery fire continued in several border areas. Five days after the start of open warfare between Israel and Iran, the conflict is intensifying, and countries like Lebanon are once again at the center of international attention.
The Israeli army ordered the evacuation of dozens of border towns in what appears to be preparations for a new buffer zone intended to separate the Bekaa Valley (to the east) from the south of the country and concentrate the front line around the villages of the Nabatieh district. Israeli forces could advance to the outskirts of Aishiyah, on the north bank of the Litani River. In this context, the Israeli army advanced from several points along the border and took control of Khiam, about six kilometers from the border with Israel. The town has been under continuous bombardment as troops deployed inside, and families still in the area are seeking refuge in schools, shelters, or relatives' homes.
In the historic city of Baalbek, in the east of the country, at least five people were killed and fifteen wounded when a missile struck a residential building; another six civilians lost their lives in two other districts of the Bekaa Valley. Bombings have intensified in various parts of the country, while Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks toward northern Israel, launching rockets at Metulla, the Haifa naval base, and areas near Safed. Coordinated with missiles launched from Iran, they also hit targets in Tel Aviv, southern Haifa, and Ashkelon, although most of the projectiles were intercepted.
The war is even disrupting border crossings. Syria closed the Jdeidet Yabous crossing to departures after receiving warnings of possible attacks, though it remained open to arrivals as Syrian citizens left Lebanon, reversing the trend of recent years when the country hosted millions of Syrian refugees. The Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs reported 65,000 displaced people in 350 reception centers, with an additional 10,000 to 20,000 refugees staying with relatives or on the streets. While far from the massive displacement of 2024, the numbers are increasing daily.
The Israeli army issued a 24-hour ultimatum to representatives of the Iranian regime present in Lebanon, demanding their immediate withdrawal before being considered a military target. The warning makes Lebanese territory a direct battleground in the confrontation between Israel and Iran. A senior Iranian official declared that if Israel attacks Iranian diplomatic missions or diplomats in Lebanon, the response "will target Zionist missions and their nationals in other countries." Meanwhile, US and Israeli attacks continue with intensity in several Iranian cities. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and other locations, hitting civilian buildings, military installations, and logistics centers. Authorities estimate that the attacks have caused hundreds of deaths, while critical infrastructure, including the power and communications grid, has suffered significant damage. The deaths of key regime leaders and the uncertainty surrounding the succession of Ayatollah Khamenei are exacerbating internal political tensions. The confrontation has also spread to other parts of the region and has put several Gulf states under pressure. In the United Arab Emirates, air defenses have intercepted more than 170 Iranian ballistic missiles and over 800 drones since the start of the conflict, although projectile fragments and debris have fallen in urban areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, as well as causing damage to civilian infrastructure. In Qatar, defense forces shot down attempted attacks on Doha International Airport, and several projectiles were neutralized before impact. Qatari authorities suspended air operations at the main airport as a security measure and restricted civilian traffic while alerts remained in place. Similar attacks were reported in Saudi Arabia, where drones were intercepted in the Eastern Province and damage was reported to energy facilities such as the Ras Tanura refinery, and in Bahrain, where falling missile debris killed one person and injured two others near naval facilities. The Gulf region remains tense. The continued launching of missiles and drones has forced the closure or restriction of airspace over countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, affecting commercial flights and international transport. Larnaca Airport in Cyprus also temporarily closed its airspace after unidentified projectiles were detected near its approach, and authorities suspended takeoffs and landings as a precaution. Additional reports indicate alerts at the Akrotiri air base and defensive movements around strategic installations, although no casualties have been confirmed on Cypriot territory.
On the ground, there is a prevailing sense of a war that has lost its boundaries. There is no clear front line, and no diplomatic efforts seem capable of halting the escalation. Each day brings new attacks, casualties, and displaced persons, and the map of the conflict expands day by day. Daily life is intertwined with destruction and fear, while the civilian population experiences a forced exodus and regional tension continues to spread without any signs of abating.
