Army Artillery Destroys Militant Vehicles in Arsal Outskirts

The Lebanese army opened heavy artillery fire Sunday from its posts in the northern Bekaa at movements by militants in the Wadi al-Ajram and al-Zamarani areas in the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, state-run National News Agency reported.

“The heavy artillery shelling destroyed several militant vehicles,” NNA said.

Earlier in the day, the agency had reported that the sounds of intense bombardment were heard in the Bekaa during “Syrian airstrikes on militant gatherings in al-Zamarani.”

The Lebanese army frequently clashes with the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front militants in their hideouts near the Syria border.

Despite ideological similarities, the two groups are opposed and in conflict with each other in parts of Syria, particularly in the north.

However, the two groups joined forces and engaged in a deadly battle with the Lebanese army in and around Arsal in August 2014. They eventually withdrew from the town, abducting dozens of troops and policemen, of whom four have been executed.

Y.R.