BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army seized Friday at dawn positions used by jihadi militants to infiltrate Lebanon’s northeastern border, scoring a new success in its confrontation with Islamist fighters. Meanwhile, the Syrian army, backed by Hezbollah fighters, drove Syrian rebels Friday out of several hills in Syria’s Zabadani region, a security source told The Daily Star.
The source said that regime forces captured 11 bodies of Syrian opposition fighters during fierce clashes.
“Army units carried out a ‘lightening fast’ operation on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, seizing full control of some positions used by terrorist organizations to infiltrate [Lebanon] and wage attacks against Army positions,” an Army statement read.
The Army established a military presence in the area and has linked the new positions to other Army posts stationed along the border.
According to the statement, the move is part of military efforts aimed at securing Army posts and Lebanese villages and towns that lie close to the eastern border, in order to “prevent the infiltration of terrorist groups and [thwart] attacks on the people.”
Speaking to The Daily Star, a senior Army source said that the military was “nibbling away” at the jihadis’ positions.
“We are advancing every time we see that the time and our military situation is appropriate.” The source also described the hills seized by the Army Friday as “very important.”
“We are getting closer to [the jihadis] and tightening the noose on them,” he added.
The Army’s action came around a month after troops conducted a similar operation in the village of Ras Baalbek, also on the northeastern border, seizing two strategic hilltops above the town.
“By now, we have warded off danger from all towns and villages in the area, such as Arsal and Ras Baalbek,” the source said.
The military has significantly fortified its positions along the eastern border following a five-day battle last August with militants from ISIS and the Nusra Front, who briefly entered Arsal and captured over 30 servicemen.
ISIS beheaded two of the captured security personnel and the Nusra Front shot dead two others. Around 25 are still held by the groups.
Also Friday, the Lebanese Army announced the arrest of two men in Arsal suspected of involvement in last summer’s battles.
The two suspects, identified as Ahmad Ali Kornobi and Ali Abdullah Kornobi, were wanted over terror charges.
Besides allegedly participating in the Arsal battles, the two detainees are suspected to have been involved in the kidnapping of the Lebanese servicemen. Security sources told The Daily Star the two suspects are affiliated with the Nusra Front.
Earlier this week, the Lebanese Army detained two “terrorists,” including an ISIS suspect accused of beheading one of the soldiers.
Separately, the Central News Agency reported that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman could visit Lebanon next month to see the arrival of the first batch of French weapons to be delivered to the Lebanese Army as part of a $3 billion Saudi-funded arms deal.
Media reports said that French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian would also be attending.
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