The Syrian Civil War spilled over into Lebanon with Syrian Rebels clashing with Hezbollah guerillas near the town of Baalbek.  It’s the worst clash on the Lebanese side of the border since the Civil War started more than 2 years ago and another sign that mere borders are not containing the conflict.

The Syrian Rebels had crossed the border and targeted Hezbollah for the latter group’s alliance with Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, getting a few rocket and mortar rounds in.

But the Hezbollah was able to encircle the intruders and ambush them.  At least 17 people are dead, mostly fighters from the Jabhat al-Nusra, a rebel group linked to al-Qaida, were killed in the fighting.

Hezbollah is Shia Muslim, Jabhat al-Nusra is Sunni.

The same inter-religious tensions are at the heart of the government offensive against the rebel-held town of Qusair in western Syria.  Thousands of people are under siege in that town; fighting is preventing medical and humanitarian aid from being brought in to help civilians.