Syrian artillery strikes north Lebanon, three killed

WADI KHALED, Lebanon - Reuters

Mustafa al Zeer inspects his damaged house in Wadi Khaled town after shelling by Syrian forces towards villagers houses in North Lebanon. Reuters

Syrian artillery hit villages in northern Lebanon today, killing two women and a man and wounding scores more after opposition rebels crossed the border into Lebanon, residents said.
 
Residents of the Wadi Khaled region said several mortar bombs started falling on farm buildings five to 20 kilometers from the border at around 2 a.m. 
 
At midday villagers reported more explosions and said they heard gunfire close to the border.
 
Syrian rebels trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad have used northern Lebanon as a base and Syrian forces have at times bombed villages and even crossed the border in pursuit of militants, threatening to stir up tensions in its smaller neighbour.
 
In the village of al-Mahatta, a house was destroyed, killing a 16-year-old girl and wounding a two year old and a four year old, family members told Reuters. A 25-year-old woman and a man were also killed in nearby villages, residents said.