Army's Operation in Ras Baalbek Continues for Second Day in a Row
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The army continued to target on Friday militant posts on the outskirts of the northeastern border village of Ras Baalbek in the Bekaa, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The sounds of explosions were heard in nearby villages in the Bekaa.
The Lebanese army helicopters accompanied troops on the field along Lebanon's Eastern Mountain Range.
Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel also toured the outskirts of Ras Baalbek to inspect the progress of the military operation.
The Lebanese army seized on Thursday two hilltop positions on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek.
Moqbel hailed thecapabilities of the Lebanese troops who defeated the terrorists and took full control of the two strategic posts.
“The army's accomplishments confirm that it has a solid national conviction,” the defense minister said.
For his part, Qahwaji stressed that the continuous sacrifices made by soldiers deployed along Lebanon's eastern border are aimed at safeguarding the nearby villages and block infiltration attempts by terrorist organizations.
“The unique military operation reflects the army's strict decision to combat terrorism and protect citizens.”
The army command said in a communique that the operation was in line with efforts to secure villages near the eastern border with neighboring Syria.
Three soldiers were wounded in the operation, during which militant positions were shelled with artillery and heavy weaponry, it added.
The statement did not name the militants, but most are believed to be from the Islamic State group. They and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been holding around 20 Lebanese soldiers and policemen hostage since August.
The army frequently clashes with the militants in their hideouts near the Syria border.
H.K.
G.K.
27 February 2015, 11:18
66
Loyalty to the Lebanese Army ONLY. Not any foreign influences from Hizbullah or ISIS. Keep these foreigners out of our country, they caused enough damage with their foreign garbage...
27 February 2015, 11:49
65
Your attempt to compare ISIS to hezbollah is laughable, ISIS fights lebanon, its people and its army, while HA is lebanese, is supported by by the people, defends the country and supports the army.
You're only bitter because you wish the lebanese army would do like ISIS, and fight HA on behalf of israel.
27 February 2015, 11:56
64
HA are Iranian revolutionary guard implants, ISIS are foreigners... You brought the foreign mess into Lebanon... And you're foreign like Israel occupying Palestine... Grow up you manipulative child.
27 February 2015, 12:09
75
ISIS never needed to be "brought" by anyone, they were coming anyway, with or without a pretext. Was there HA in Kobbane? in Mossul? in Maaloula?
It's you who need to grow up and realize that Hezbollah played a critical role, alongside the army, to prevent a similar fate in Lebanon.
27 February 2015, 12:14
65
I answered a specific point you raised ("You brought the foreign mess"), and what are you doing here? You're the one deviating because you know I'm right. Now bye, go headbang near a wall.
27 February 2015, 12:15
65
Elemental is yet another westernized immigrant living in the states. No knowledge of the actual facts in the middle east.
27 February 2015, 12:16
55
ISIS behead anyone they see as infidels, the Resistance fights against those people and the zionists that helps them.
27 February 2015, 14:30
24
HA has used weapons internally against Lebanese over illegal phone lines. They threaten all of the time via implied threats. It's like negotiating unarmed with your neighbor with a rifle in his lap as he says let's talk reasonably friend.
27 February 2015, 15:42
52
zahle, what are you referring to? The 2008 clashes were the M14s own fault, they thought they could muscle out the Resistance. They failed.
27 February 2015, 22:37
02
mystic, nobody muscled them. We used dialog and rule of law. These communication lines are not legit. They used guns over this.
27 February 2015, 22:40
02
However, HA did not bring ISIS, they were coming no matter what. Just like Maaloula and Ras Baalbek is not HA. HA wants Shiite domination, and Christians as second class citizens with no liquor stores. As long as we are ok with no liquor and no bikinis on the beach they will leave us alone. This I am not for. However, ISIS, they want to rape, torture, kill, rape, burn and desecrate our churches. I am by my damn self.
27 February 2015, 23:05
20
Zahle, it's clear you've never been in a so called, "Shia area" with christians, go to christian stores inside those areas, and you will see their fridges filled with Alcohol, XXL ou maba3ref shi.
I don't know where you LFers get that idea from, it surely is another Geagea propaganda rumor. You are write about your description of ISIS though.
Tell me, are Christians second classes in Lebanon? The Resistance doesn't care whether you drink, or go walk outside in a Bikini. Go to the shores of Beirut in summer and you will see.
27 February 2015, 23:05
21
Drop your eavesdropping of western nations, it's not good for you. Think realistic for once. They do not give a damn about your kind, If you tell ISIS you are anti Hezb or hate Sayed Hassan, they will laugh and call you kaffir, thereafter kill you. You are just another "infidel" like me the "Rafidah" as they call us.
All sects seeking Resistance against Israel, is 100% accepted no matter what religion. If you seek peace and bonds with the West and Israel, then I do not even care if you are a born shia. Then it's goodbye
28 February 2015, 12:17
00
Mowaten, in this case why did you guys go to fight in Syria? Yes, I support HA's support of our army, we all should be behind the army irrespective of which party or side we may belong to, we all should rally behind the army and the state. But then people like you dear Mowaten, you keep shooting yourselves in the foot, I read your posts and can only deduct a question, why can't we all stay here in Lebanon and join hands as ONE formidable force? Is that too much to ask?
27 February 2015, 16:51
51
Elemental. Would love to agree and thumbs up with your first sentence... but linking and comparing Hezbollah with ISIS is wrong and purposely divisive! Hezbollah is not holding Lebanese army or internal security forces hostage and threatening to behead them! There is only one enemy to the Lebanese republic and it is ISIS and Al Nusra! Those that love Lebanon are against ISIS, Al Nusra and the terrorists holding our heroic brethren hostage! if Al nusra disagrees with ISIS then they should release their captives.
Lebanon wil never and can never be part of their delusional caliphate!
God bless our security forces and the families of the captives!
27 February 2015, 16:56
05
hizbushaitan is terrorizing the whole of lebanon with their weapons, so what are you talking about?
they have bombed and assassinated so many of m14 leaders so far.
27 February 2015, 17:28
50
geha... explain to me why you support ISIS and Al nusra holding the LAF and ISF captives? Also please explain how hezbollah are doing the same? You are an embarrassment to whom ever you hold allegiance to. Whether its Israel and the mossad or what ever controls the extremist, anti civilisation movement you support! How you can justify isis and al nusra attacking Lebanon and the lebanese security forces and keep a straight face is beyond me... full respect though, to your commitment! From pretending to be a maronite from keseroun to this! Please honour us with your real truth!
27 February 2015, 17:33
04
ado
did you understand from @geha's comment he supports ISIS holding our soldiers hostage? You have a clear tendency to accuse, embellish, and polish your arguments based on nonsense.
27 February 2015, 17:52
40
ex fpm... Geha backs Elemental's comments that Hezbollah and ISIS are the same "foreigners"! He claims that Hezbollah is the same as ISIS and that Hezbollah is foreign! Geha tries to compare Hezbollah as terrorising the whole of Lebanon when the people of Ras Baalbek, Al Alaa and Dier el Ahmar are not arming themselves against Hezbollah but with them and the LAF against the Syrian based ISIS, invading from the anti Lebanon mountains!
Ask them who they are arming themselves against! This is not nonsense but reality ya ex fpm! You have a clear tendency to ignore the reality on the Lebanese ground! even the LF are now against your illusion!
27 February 2015, 18:03
50
ex fpm.. Lebanon is not Syria or Iraq! Christians in Lebanon will never fall victim to ISIS! Whether its the "crusader army" of Lebanon that includes sunni and druze and shiites as well as christians! The LAF is LEBANON! It's the Watan of Lebanon! It is the real LEBANON! The LAF will never fail or fall to your illusions! The LAF will destroy your ISIS and Al Nusra and our sunni Lebanese brothers will lead the way against your crazy religious cult!
27 February 2015, 18:05
03
@ado
I commented on the following:
Hezbollah is not holding Lebanese army or internal security forces hostage and threatening to behead them!
hizbushaitan are an extremist iranian militia terrifying Lebanon. that is my opinion.
27 February 2015, 18:12
12
there are several dangers at our door:
- hizbushaitan: extremist terrorist iranian occupying militia
- israel: extremist jewish terrorist state, now out of Lebanon.
- isis: extremist terrorist militia, now at our door
- the syrian regime: now out of Lebanon but still a threat to Lebanon.
currently the greatest danger is from the ennemy within, i.e. hizbushaitan. then isis comes in second place.
27 February 2015, 11:44
74
How passive aggressive of you, much like roar and flamethrower wouldn't you say? Foreigner.
27 February 2015, 11:52
66
A foreigner is a foreigner "southern" now quit your whiny manipulation.
27 February 2015, 11:58
55
I'm !more Lebanese tan you'll ever be, whiny chi?d, now tell me what villages dating back 7 generations are you from? I can name mine, can you Parviz?
27 February 2015, 12:12
95
Elemental you clearly are not Lebanese. All Lebanese can name their ancestral village and nobody thinks it's impressive like you seem to think.
27 February 2015, 12:19
53
FT, the greatest foreign whiner of them all, like Iran and Israel ...a foreigner and occupier.
27 February 2015, 12:19
55
Elemental you're such a goof it's actually funny. Did you really think I was going to answer that?
27 February 2015, 12:34
43
Beware the wrath of foreigner's with their fake accounts, they'll be angry you're loyal to our army and not them.
27 February 2015, 19:01
01
Nice try...the concept is simple, either you're loyal to Lebanon, or outside powers, choose.
28 February 2015, 12:10
00
Kahwaji will be credible only by proving he's not one-eyed nor under direct Mullahs Islamist terrorist orders. All but convincing in his laughable statements.
28 February 2015, 12:10
00
Let the army blow these sods of IS and Al Jursah into oblivion, let the army show no mercy, I respect only one principle, "Frappez avant de parler". No more discussions, just blow these filths into dust, only the strong is respected, no place for the weak. A strong army equals a strong state, and a strong state is not one to be denied its role or authority.
