Heavy Fighting in Arsal between Hizbullah and Militants
Security sources raised fears on Friday that the Syrian refugee camps in the Bekaa border town of Arsal are possibly transformed into bases that incubate militants. The fears went in parallel with heavy gunfights that erupted Thursday between the said militants and Hizbullah fighters.
Since Sunday, the Eastern Mountain Range (on the Lebanese-Syrian border) has been witnessing heavy fighting between Hizbullah and al-Nusra Front militants as Syrian warplanes have also raided the outskirts of Arsal, Wadi Nahle, Younine, Falita and Kara.
Unnamed security sources confirmed to As-Safir daily that Hizbullah fighters were able to seize control of a number of strategic hilltops in the region.
“The battle aims to protect the resistance in the Bekaa area,” the sources said, “reaching to the final closure of the Qalamoun front that could possibly safeguard Lebanon from the danger of booby-trapped cars, suicidal bombers and rockets” they added.
They stated fears that the Syrian refugee camps in the area could turn into camps that harbor militants, or a springboard to head to Syrian or Lebanese territories for violent acts.
The fighting killed more than 100 people including Omar al-Yakzan an aide to Sirajeddine Zouraikat spokesman for the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, in addition to hundreds who were wounded and 17 captured insurgents.
Arsal, a predominantly Sunni area, backs the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The town 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.
The town has seen a massive influx of refugees as a result of the heavy fighting in Qalamoun.
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