Army Ups Security Measure, Shells Militants Fleeing into Arsal

The Lebanese army on Friday upped its security measures in the northeastern border town of Arsal to keep militants from infiltrating into the town, as Hizbullah launched an offensive against jihadists in the border area, media reports said.

Crossings between the town and its outskirts were blocked by the military forces to safeguard the town's residents, and prevent jihadists fleeing the shelling from infiltrating into the town, reports have said.

The Army bombarded terror group members who attempted to flee from Wadi Zaarour, an area in the outskirts, into the town, the National News Agency said.

The army's measures come in line with a military assault launched by Hizbullah against posts of militants in the outskirts.

Hizbullah began an offensive on Thursday shelling militant posts in the outskirts of Arsal, as media reports said the group's long-anticipated “operation” against jihadists in the area had started.

Media reports said that military operations began from two fronts on the outskirts of the Lebanese town of Arsal and the Syrian village of Flita.

VDL (93.3) said that Lebanese flags were seen flown above encampments of Syrian refugees in Arsal, and that a state of calm prevailed in the town.

It also said that Nusra has evacuated several of its positions and fortifications in the Wadi Hmeid area.

The army later called on the Red Cross and other NGOs to help refugees get out of camps located near clash zones on the outskirts of Arsal.

The offensive was widely expected after negotiations with militants to leave the area failed over the past days.

The region is a stronghold of Syria's al-Qaida's branch, known as Fatah al-Sham Front, as well as the Islamic State group and the Levant People's Brigades.