Hizbullah Urges Militants' Surrender after Taking Over Major Nusra Strongholds
Hizbullah's leadership announced on Monday that its “operation” against al-Nusra Front terror group entrenched in the outskirts of Arsal was "about to end," as it “urged militants to surrender” after seizing control of the majority of the group's strongholds.
“The battle with al-Nusra Front is about to end. We urge the rest of the militants to drop their weapons and surrender and we will ensure their safety,” Hizbullah's leadership announced in a statement.
Hizbullah fighters have seized full control of the Wadi al-Kheil area, one of al-Nusra Front's strongholds, in the outskirts of the border town of Arsal, the National News Agency reported early on Monday.
They have also seized control of Wadi al-Maaysrah and Qalaat al-Hoson hill, NNA added.
Other media outlets said the party has also seized control of Nusra posts in Wadi Maarouf, Wadi Kahil, Wadi al-Dam, Wadi Zaarour and Wadi al-Daqayiq.
Earlier NNA reported that Hizbullah waged a wide offensive at a number of fronts in Wadi al-Kheil and Hosn al-Kherbeh to the east of Arsal. Meanwhile the infantry were advancing in Wadi al-Kheil, a move that was paralleled with heavy clashes with al-Nusra terrorists.
On Sunday Hizbullah pressed on with its assault seizing more strategic points from the control of the Fateh al-Sham jihadist group, which was known as al-Nusra Front before announcing a severing of ties with al-Qaida.
Hizbullah's military media unit said the group's fighters seized control Sunday of the entire outskirts of Syria's Flita from Nusra's hands and were in control of around 70% of Arsal's outskirts by Sunday afternoon.
Hizbullah had launched its long-awaited assault in the border region on Friday and has lost around 19 fighters in the ongoing battle.
Source: Naharnet
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