Source close to Hezbollah says group sent 2,000 fighters to Syria

A source close to Lebanon's Hezbollah said Saturday the group sent 2,000 fighters into Syria near the border, as its ally Damascus reels from a rebel offensive that has seized major cities in recent days.

"Hezbollah sent 2,000 fighters to the Qusayr area... to defend its positions there and has not yet participated in any battles" with Syrian rebels, the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The rebel coalition in Syria has already seized two of Syria's main cities, Aleppo in the north and Hama in the centre.


On Saturday, rebel forces were at the gates of the key central city of Homs.

The source said Hezbollah sent 150 military advisers to help government forces defend Homs if fighting erupts there.