Syrian forces fire on villages in northern Lebanon

BEIRUT — Lebanese security officials say shells fired from across the Syrian border have killed three civilians and injured 10.

One woman was killed early Saturday when a shell hit her home in the Wadi Khalid area of northeast Lebanon, also injuring five others. Later, another shell hit the nearby village of al-Hisheh, killing an 8-year-old boy and injuring his father and four siblings.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under police rules.

According to local residents, Syrian forces began firing into Lebanon after Syrian rebel fighters fled across the border.

Nearly 16 months of deadly violence in Syria have raised fears that the unrest will spill into Lebanon, which has extensive sectarian and political ties to its eastern neighbor. The incident represents the worst spillover violence since the conflict began.

World powers have failed to stop Syria’s violence, which activists say has killed more than 14,000 people.

Activists said more than 67 people were killed on Friday.