August 19th, 2017 - Fort Russ News -
- Al Mayadeen - - translated by Samer Hussein -
Lebanese Army commander General Joseph Aoun has announced the start of a major-scale anti-ISIS operation in the northeast of Lebanon.
The operation began on Saturday at 5am, local time.
“In the name of Lebanon, the abducted soldiers and the blood of innocent martyrs, and in the name of heroes of the great Lebanese Army, we launched the NEW operation at dawn”, Aoun said.
The operation is focused on an ISIS “enclave”, located on the northeastern part of the border with Syria.
The Lebanese movement Hezbollah has also announced an assault on the militants, coming from the Syrian side of the border.
The Lebanese Army operation targeted ISIS positions near the towns of Ras Baalbek and Qaa with rockets, artillery and helicopters, a Lebanese security source said.
The particular area is the last part of the Lebanese-Syrian border, held under terrorist control.
According to the field reports, the Lebanese army liberated the hill of Mukhermeh and began securing the surrounding towns from being invaded by ISIS terrorists. It is estimated that about 1000 ISIS terrorists are currently located in the area between Qaa and Ras Baalbek.
The Lebanese Army’s artillery units heavily pounded ISIS positions near the town of Al Kahf and Al Kaf border crossing.
“There is no direct or indirect coordination with Hezbollah and the Syrian Army as regards the operation, launched by Army Commander General Joseph Aoun earlier today,” Brigadier General Ali Qansu said.
“The army's mission is to attack the terrorists”, he told at a press conference, held at the Lebanese Defense Ministry to explain the developments of the operation.
“The terrorists have been under siege for more than a year, with their weapons and equipment mainly consisting of motorcycles, anti-tank weapons, sniper rifles, drones and anti-aircraft weapons. At least 600 terrorists are said to be there and are split into 3 groups in an area of 120 square kilometers”, pointing out that one of the weaknesses is the lack of coverage by tanks and armored vehicles.
Before finishing his speech, Qansu said the Lebanese Army is fully determined to score a new victory, though it is also possible that the army might negotiate with terrorists in order to release the soldiers, currently held in captivity.
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