Several Terrorists Dead as Lebanese Troops Raid Jihadist Post Near Syria Border

The Lebanese Army raided on Tuesday a jihadist post on the outskirts of the northeastern town of Ras Baalbek, attacking gunmen and causing casualties among their ranks, the military and the state-run National News Agency said.

The Airborne Regiment controlled the strategic post at al-Mukhairmeh hill at dawn, leaving three of them dead and four injured, they said.

The operation on the hill that lies 1564 meters above sea level came after the military received “information that terrorist groups were making combat and logistics preparations,” stated the army in its communique.

The army units returned to their positions after the operation. There were no casualties among their ranks, said the communique.

It added that the attack was in the context of "preventive military operations" to eradicate militant groups and prevent them from infiltrating Lebanon to target army outposts and civilians.

The military recently stepped up its security measures along the northeastern border with Syria to stop the infiltration of terrorists entrenched on the porous border.

The army also routinely pounds militant positions on the outskirts of the towns of Arsal and Ras Baalbek to repel possible attacks by al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group.

The threat of the fighters rose in August last year when they overran Arsal and took hostages from the Lebanese army and police.

G.K.

H.K.