Cautious Calm on Outskirts of Ras Baalbek as Army Fortifies Posts
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Relative calm prevailed on Saturday across the outskirts of the northeastern border village of Ras Baalbek in the Bekaa after the army fortified its posts in the area.
Sources said in comments published in As Safir newspaper that the “pre-emptive strike by the Lebanese army against the armed groups, which were preparing to attack weak posts in the area, had a harsh impact on them.”
“The militants were confused by the military's attack on its positions (on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek,” sources said basing its statement on the wiretapping that the army and security forces, which are heavily deployed in the area, are carrying out.
The source estimated that the militants are preparing for a swift retaliation to reclaim the land that the army controlled.
The army continued to target on Friday militant posts on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek, a day after it seized two hilltop positions.
Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel toured the area of operation to inspect the progress of military.
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.
The statement did not name the militants, but most are believed to be from the Islamic State group, who together with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been holding around 20 Lebanese soldiers and policemen hostage since August.
The army frequently clashed with the militants in their hideouts near the Syria border.
H.K.
D.A.
28 February 2015, 12:14
00
The army should remain always on high alert because these filths of IS and Al Nusra cannot be trusted. The army is now holding the moral high ground, let NO politician interfere with the working of the army. If I was the army in Ras Baalbek, I will dig a deep well so that when IS is caught, just dump them in that hole, they deserve NO mercy of any kind.
28 February 2015, 16:27
00
100% right. We need to seek them out in every inch of our land.
28 February 2015, 18:02
00
Crossing fingers - I hope the Lebanese army all the best in its fight to protect Lebanon from its enemies. We also need a Commander in Chief that is able to inspire Lebanese and lead them into a true and real state.
28 February 2015, 16:44
10
France announced an emergency airdrop of late-model berets to the embattled government troops taking part in this operation. Many of the servicemembers are said to have suffered crimping or wrinkling of their berets, rendering them unfit for combat.
28 February 2015, 18:04
01
Lebanon0 - you start it well and then you go into the morass of lies. The party that is being funded by the Saudis (and US) is the Lebanese army, At this point and despite my intense dislike of them, you had better wish the royals a long life.
