Report: Lebanese Army to Launch Operation at Syrian Border
The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Monday that Lebanese forces will carry out operations against ISIS militants in the northeastern border region of Arsal
IsraelDefense
| 18/07/2017
Lebanese troops (Photo: AP)
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday the army would carry out an operation in the Juroud Arsal area of northeastern Lebanon at the Syrian border, Reuters reports.
Juroud Arsal has been a base of operations for insurgents fighting in the Syrian civil war, including al-Nusra Front and ISIS.
Last week, the Lebanese army raided several refugee camps in the border region in northeastern Lebanon. According to al-Araby, the raids were carried out across a number of refugee camps in al-Qasr town in Hermel. The troops arrested 36 people during the raid over failure to produce identification documents.
Reports of Syrian men being beaten and humiliated during such raids surfaced earlier this month, as refugee camps became a flashpoint for fighting between the army and militants from Syria.
The Middle East Eye reported on Monday that the Lebanese army has been accused of widespread torture of Syrian refugee prisoners, four of whom died in custody after they were picked up in mass raids at camps near Arsal.
The four men died after apparently spending several days in the custody of the Lebanese army after the raid, prompting the military to open an inquiry. However, initial forensic reports said there was "no evidence of violence" against the prisoners and that the four men had died of natural causes.
Responding to the allegations, Prime Minister Hariri stressed that the army enjoys "complete" political support, according to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat.
"Those criticizing the army are trying to create tensions between the military forces and Syrian refugees," stated the prime minister on Monday after holding talks with Defense Minister Yacoub al-Sarraf and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
Addressing the death of the four detainees, Hariri said that the army is carrying out a "clear and transparent" investigation in the matter. "We reject any questioning of the credibility of the investigation, which will deliver its findings within two or three days," he added.
The army is keen on following legal measures and "political support for the military is unconditional," he declared.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Monday that Lebanese forces will carry out operations against ISIS militants in the northeastern border region of Arsal
Lebanese troops (Photo: AP)
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday the army would carry out an operation in the Juroud Arsal area of northeastern Lebanon at the Syrian border, Reuters reports.
Juroud Arsal has been a base of operations for insurgents fighting in the Syrian civil war, including al-Nusra Front and ISIS.
Last week, the Lebanese army raided several refugee camps in the border region in northeastern Lebanon. According to al-Araby, the raids were carried out across a number of refugee camps in al-Qasr town in Hermel. The troops arrested 36 people during the raid over failure to produce identification documents.
Reports of Syrian men being beaten and humiliated during such raids surfaced earlier this month, as refugee camps became a flashpoint for fighting between the army and militants from Syria.
The Middle East Eye reported on Monday that the Lebanese army has been accused of widespread torture of Syrian refugee prisoners, four of whom died in custody after they were picked up in mass raids at camps near Arsal.
The four men died after apparently spending several days in the custody of the Lebanese army after the raid, prompting the military to open an inquiry. However, initial forensic reports said there was "no evidence of violence" against the prisoners and that the four men had died of natural causes.
Responding to the allegations, Prime Minister Hariri stressed that the army enjoys "complete" political support, according to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat.
"Those criticizing the army are trying to create tensions between the military forces and Syrian refugees," stated the prime minister on Monday after holding talks with Defense Minister Yacoub al-Sarraf and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
Addressing the death of the four detainees, Hariri said that the army is carrying out a "clear and transparent" investigation in the matter. "We reject any questioning of the credibility of the investigation, which will deliver its findings within two or three days," he added.
The army is keen on following legal measures and "political support for the military is unconditional," he declared.
