Report: Islamist Gunmen Infiltrate Arsal, Assault Residents

A group of gunmen deployed on Monday in the northeastern border town of Arsal, media reports said, a day after militants raided the houses of residents, who are staunch supporters of the Lebanese army.

“More than 100 Lebanese and Syrian armed men in civilian clothes are deploying in Arsal,” Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) reported.

On Saturday, media reports said that Islamist gunmen infiltrated the town several times and raided houses of residents who are cooperating with the Lebanese army.

As Safir newspaper, published on Monday, reported that militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Nusra Front have a list of names of residents from the town, who are collaborating with the army.

Arsal lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria and has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.

However, the residents of Arsal were angered after jihadists from Syria attacked their town earlier in August.

The fighting between troops and extremist fighters broke out on August 2 when jihadists from Syria attacked army and police posts in Arsal after the arrest of a militant accused of belonging to the al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front.

According to As Safir newspaper, a group of 60 gunmen entered Arsal during the weekend, blocked the main road and raided a house.

The residents remain at disarray on how armed men are infiltrating their town without any action taken by the security forces.

H.K.

G.K.