The U.S. Department of State said on Friday, May 24, that the latest deadly clashes in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli “constitute a stark reminder” that the conflict in Syria threatens Lebanon’s stability.

“The latest clashes in the northern city of Tripoli, in which at least 23 people have been killed, constitute a stark reminder that the conflict in Syria poses an increasingly dangerous threat to Lebanon’s stability and security,” Department of State Acting Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell said in a statement, according to RIA Novosti.

He said the United States supports Lebanon’s dissociation policy with respect to the crisis in Syria and condemned the suspected involvement of Hezbollah forces in the Syrian conflict.

“We call on all parties in the region to avoid any actions that would exacerbate that crisis, increase the propensity for spillover violence, and negatively affect civilian populations,” the official said.

Syria has been locked in an increasingly bloody civil war since demonstrations broke out against the Assad regime in March 2011. According to UN estimates, about 80,000 people have been killed in the conflict.