Lebanese Army, Hezbollah Launch Offensives against ISIS on Syrian Border

The Lebanese Army, Hezbollah, and the Assad regime’s army launched simultaneous offensives on both sides of the Lebanon-Syria border on Saturday to recapture ISIS strongholds in the area

Lebanese Army, Hezbollah Launch Offensives against ISIS on Syrian Border

Spokesperson for the Lebanese army, General Ali Kanso (Photo: AP)

The US-backed Lebanese Army launched a long-awaited offensive on Saturday against Islamic State militants holed up in a remote stretch of northeastern Lebanon, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, while a separate assault by the Hezbollah militia and the Syrian army got underway right across the border in Syria.

Lebanese Army Chief, Gen. Joseph Aoun announced on Saturday the start of an operation against ISIS near the Syrian border in the outskirts of Al-Qaa and Ras Baalbek.

"In the name of Lebanon, in the name of kidnapped Lebanese soldiers, in the name of martyrs of the army, I announce the launch of 'Fajr al-Joroud Operation' in the outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa," Hezbollah-run al-Manar news channel cited him as saying.

The Lebanese operation commenced at 5 a.m. local time, targeting Islamic State positions near the town of Ras Baalbek with rockets, artillery, and helicopters, a Lebanese security source said. The area is the last part of the Lebanese-Syrian frontier controlled by ISIS, according to Reuters.

A security source said the offensive was making advances with several hills taken in the push against the militants entrenched on fortified high ground, in outposts, and in caves.

An army spokesperson said a third of the area in the hands of the militants was so far now recaptured since the offensive began with twenty militants killed in either direct combat, shelling or aerial strikes. Ten soldiers were injured.

"The army has succeeded in eliminating a very large part of their men and equipment. We have tightened the noose around them and they have become much weaker," Col. Nazih Jraish told reporters.

The operation by Hezbollah and the Syrian army targeted the area across the border in the western Qalamoun region of Syria.

Hezbollah-run al-Manar TV said that its fighters were ascending a series of strategic heights known as the Mosul Mountains that overlook several unofficial border crossings used by the militants.

A Hezbollah statement said the group was meeting its pledge to "remove the terrorist threat at the borders of the nation" and was fighting "side by side" with the Syrian army. It made no mention of the Lebanese army operation. On their part, the Lebanese army denied any coordinating with Hezbollah or the Syrian army.

 

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