Hizbullah: Our Fighters Have Not Intervened in the Arsal Clashes

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Hizbullah on Tuesday denied that its fighters were involved in the ongoing battles between army troops and extremist militants in the eastern border town of Arsal, hailing the cabinet's “firm stance to confront takfiri terrorism.”

"What is happening on ground, like dealing with the military situation, protecting citizens and confronting terrorist armed groups is exclusively the responsibility of the Lebanese army,” Hizbullah said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.

"And Hizbullah has not intervened in what is happening in Arsal,” the statement assured.

Sixteen soldiers have been killed and more then 86 others wounded since the eruption of the Arsal battle on Saturday while 22 troops have gone missing, according to an army statement.

The clashes began after the arrest of a Syrian man accused of being a top leader of al-Qaida's Syrian branch al-Nusra Front. Following his arrest, gunmen surrounded army posts before opening fire, sparking the clashes.

Around 21 policemen were also taken hostage by the armed groups on Saturday.

In a related matter, Hizbullah hailed the the cabinet's “firm stance towards the latest developments in Arsal.”

"This stance reflects national consensus over supporting the army in its battles against takfiri terrorism and in confronting foreign gunmen's attempts that threaten civil peace and violate the Lebanese state's sovereignty,” it added.

The government on Monday announced the mobilization of all its political and security agencies in defense of Arsal in the face of the “flagrant aggression,” noting that the only way out of the current confrontation lies in the withdrawal of the “terrorists” from the border town.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam underlined after the cabinet's meeting that the government will spare no effort to support the army as it defends Lebanon, noting that it has asked French authorities to “expedite the delivery of arms as part of the deal with Saudi Arabia.”

Hizbullah's statement also saluted local “media outlets' solidarity with the military institution, and their abstention from publishing or airing anything that might weaken the army or serve the militants.”

S.D.B.

M.T.

Comments 14
Missing lebalways 05 August 2014, 18:24

"Exclusively the responsibility of the Lebanese Army"...
Of course, only when it's convenient for Hezbollah.

Missing ArabDemocrat.com 05 August 2014, 22:37

Institute national draft and a national reserve and spend the money to have a real army. Disarm all militias including the Hizb that brought us the disaster we have been living in.

Thumb Tony.Farris 06 August 2014, 00:34

Yeah they're too busy killing Syrian children's

Thumb iamymasterscard 05 August 2014, 18:44

Yeah god forbids they die while performing their Jihadi duty here in Lebanon when they're just too busy dying to perform their Jihadi duty over in Syria, Iraq, Bulgaria...

Thumb EagleDawn 05 August 2014, 18:50

HA is not intervening in the fighting in Arsal?? You mean like the documented photos and videos showing HA terrorists actively involved in Abra incident. There are confirmed reports that HA is firing all kinds of artillery and rockets from its positions in Labweh towards Arsal.

Thumb ex-fpm 05 August 2014, 18:54

"What is happening on ground, like dealing with the military situation, protecting citizens and confronting terrorist armed groups is exclusively the responsibility of the Lebanese army,” Hizbullah said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon."

Great, so why are you in Syria claiming to fight terrorism. Withdraw and implement the statement you just issued; hand over everything to the LAF, go home and enjoy your families.

Missing helicopter 05 August 2014, 20:29

Hizbullah: Our Fighters Have Not Intervened in the Arsal Clashes........
Maybe, maybe not. But for sure HA's actions in Syria paved the way for these sickos to move from Qalamoun region to inside the Lebanese territory. HA's way of forcing cooperation with the LAF to seem like it is the better of the two choices (them vs. Nusra).... I will oppose both and say NO to both. We need a sovereign Lebanon for the Lebanese only protected by the LAF only.

Missing helicopter 05 August 2014, 20:33

"What is happening on ground, like dealing with the military situation, protecting citizens and confronting terrorist armed groups is exclusively the responsibility of the Lebanese army,” Hizbullah said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon. .............
But ignoring the Baabda Declaration, dictating the President selection, and decision of war and Peace and war with Israel are exclusively the responsibility of HA....... Hypocrites and traitors.

Thumb galaxy 05 August 2014, 20:48

and a third generation australian would know that, right?

Thumb theresistance4.0 05 August 2014, 21:02

#Respect @Roar a true Patriot! Love you brother God Bless you and all like minded Lebanese #Unity!

Missing helicopter 06 August 2014, 04:09

the-roar,
When a chess game is played I want Lebanon to win and not HA or Salafists. I want moderation, institutions and freedom to be the outcome.

Default-user-icon James (Guest) 05 August 2014, 21:42

Check this video which documents hizb involvement i Arsal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V8puZjsz9g&feature=youtu.be

Default-user-icon Ballindo Kojmar (Guest) 05 August 2014, 21:55

We cannot wait for Hizbullah to intervene and grind the Sanni scum as they did very well in Syria. Why the delay? WHY? Every decent Lebanese must go and help our glorious army, EVERY DECENT LEBANESE SHOULD.

Thumb makhaleh 06 August 2014, 21:49

Another israeli terror group fighting us.....proud of the LAF stepping up their game and fighting them but funny how HA isnt involved in the fighting when they should be...its because of them these terrorists showed up