Qahwaji: Attack on Army in Arsal Premeditated, Not over Jomaa's Arrest
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Sunday held a rare press conference to announce that the attacks on the army in Arsal were “premeditated,” noting that the clashes with armed groups did not erupt because of the arrest of top militant Imad Ahmed Jomaa.
“Gunmen launched an attack against the army after troops arrested Jomaa and the assault was prepared. The army then waged an offensive to break the siege that was imposed on its posts,” Qahwaji said.
“The fight against terrorists is being carried out by the army, which has lost 10 martyrs. Twenty-five soldiers were wounded, including 4 officers, and 13 troops are missing and they may have fallen captive in the hands of the terrorist groups,” he revealed.
The army chief said the detainee Jomaa has confessed that he was “inspecting the area with the aim of carrying out an attack on the army.”
“This attack on the army was premeditated and not accidental and it did not happen because of Jomaa's arrest,” stressed Qahwaji.
He pointed out that the armed men are “alien to Lebanon,” noting that they hail from various countries.
“They are coordinating with individuals embedded inside the (Syrian refugee) camps (in Arsal). We had called for addressing the situations of the refugees two years ago,” Qahwaji lamented.
He announced the army's readiness to confront “all takfiri movements that might come to Arsal.”
“There are fears that some parties might seek to export what happened on the Syrian-Iraqi border to the Syrian-Lebanese border,” added Qahwaji, underlining that it is necessary to address the situations of the refugees “so that their places don't turn into terrorist hubs.”
“We warn all politicians of the schemes that are being plotted against Lebanon,” added Qahwaji.
He reassured that the army will continue to “exert all military measures to preserve the country's unity and the safety of civilians.”
“Arsal is a dear town and we will safeguard it.”
Y.R.
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