Hizbullah Says Several Jihadists Killed in Attack on IS Gathering Near Arsal
An Islamic State official known as Abu Aisha al-Libi and six other IS jihadists were killed on Friday in a Hizbullah attack on the Kherbet Hamam region on the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal, al-Manar TV said.
The jihadists were reportedly plotting to launch an assault on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek.
Hizbullah also destroyed two IS military vehicles, killing several and injuring six jihadists in the attack, including an IS commander known as Abu Akramah al-Zouhouri and another militant known as Ahmed Abdel Mohsen, al-Manar added.
Hizbullah has been on the offensive in Syria's Qalamoun mountains for weeks and has captured territory from al-Qaida's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front. With the Nusra Front almost defeated in the area, a major battle erupted last week between Hizbullah and the IS.
The party is deeply involved in Syria's civil war, fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces. The Lebanese group cites fears the Sunni militants will sweep through Shiite and Christian villages in diverse Lebanon as the reason for its involvement in Syria.
The total area of the Qalamoun mountains that is being contested is about 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) — of which 340 square kilometers (131 square miles) lie in Lebanon.
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Source: Naharnet, Associated Press
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