Report: Nusra Front Mulling Options as Hizbullah, ISIL Encircle Group Fighters

Al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front is reportedly seeking a settlement with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to flee the battles on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Saturday, al-Nusra Front is divided between surrendering to ISIL, which is controlling the outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa or entering Arsal and engaging in battles with the Lebanese Army.

However, the daily reported that the group is seeking a settlement with Hizbullah through clergymen in the Bekaa.

The report continues that Nusra Front fighters on outskirts of Arsal could pledge allegiance to ISIL due to the sharp division among its ranks.

Sources close to the group had stressed in comments to al-Akhbar that surrendering to Hizbullah remains a better option than giving up to ISIL.

Security sources told the newspaper that the number of male refugees at four Syrian encampments in areas between Wadi al-Hosn and Wadi Hmeid, which are not under the Lebanese army control, soared.

The sources estimated that gunmen are hiding among refugees.

Despite ideological similarities, the Nusra Front and ISIL are opposed and in conflict with each other, the two groups briefly overran Arsal in August after running gun battles with the army.

They withdrew after a ceasefire, but took with them several dozen hostages from the Lebanese army and police, four of whom have since been executed.

The Lebanese army had bolstered its patrols in Arsal and other border towns "to prevent any attack on the area,” in light of the intensified battles between Hizbullah and al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front in Syria's al-Qalmoun area.

The party's fighters had tightened the noose around the last remaining jihadist pockets along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Hizbullah, which has said it wants to protect Lebanon "from the jihadist menace", has been fighting in Syria on behalf of President Bashar Assad's regime for more than two years.

The total area of the Qalamoun being contested is about 1,000 square kilometers — of which 340 square kilometers (131 square miles) lie in Lebanon and are under militants' control.

Some observers however fear the Qalamoun offensive could prompt Islamist militants to launch attacks in Shiite areas of Lebanon itself, including Beirut's southern suburbs.

H.K.

D.A.