Army Repels Jihadist Infiltration Attempt as Gunmen Try to Spread Chaos in Lebanon
The Lebanese army clashed with jihadists trying to infiltrate Lebanese territories at dawn Monday, leaving many dead and injured among their ranks, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) reported.
The infiltration attempt was made on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, which last month witnessed bloody clashes between the army and militants from al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group.
The jihadists took with them hostages from the military and police, and killed three of them.
The military has so far stopped several infiltration attempts after it blocked dirt roads near Arsal to stop the militants, who are taking refuge in the town's outskirts and on the porous Lebanese-Syrian border, from receiving supplies.
VDL also reported that militants, taking the Syrian border towns of Serghaya and Asal Alward as their base, are trying to smuggle arms to Lebanon.
The gunmen are led by a Palestinian identified as Hatem al-Hassan, the radio station said, adding that his deputy is Ahmed al-Rifai, a Syrian.
The armed groups are taking the weapons and ammunition to caves in the town of Maaraboun, which similar to Arsal lies in Baalbek district, to hand them over to Lebanese fighters, VDL stated.
Their intention is to spread chaos in Lebanon, it added.
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