Report: Army almost Catches Qalamoun Emir amid Warnings of Extremist Expansion from Syria
The latest developments in Syria and the regime forces' capture of the city of Palmyra from extremists have prompted the Lebanese army and security forces to go on alert in anticipation of a jihadist backlash, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.
A security source revealed to the daily that terrorists have been preparing “an expansion” towards Lebanon to escape the regime's advances.
The army has consequently taken precautionary measures along the border with Syria, as well as preemptive operations that led to the arrest of dozens of terrorists.
The military almost detained the so-called emir of the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front in al-Qalamoun, Abou Malek al-Talleh, during one of these operations.
As Safir said that the army caught news that Talleh was taking part in a al-Nusra meeting in the area and therefore dispatched a military plane to monitor his movements.
The plane continued on following his movements after he emerged from the meeting and fired a rocket at it when it had a clear shot.
The car transporting Talleh however almost got into a traffic accident and veered off the road the moment the rocket was fired and he therefore survived the strike.
Talleh and his three companions in the car immediately escaped the vehicle and made it to safety. The whole operation was caught on camera, said As Safir.
The region along the Lebanese-Syrian border has become a haven for extremist groups linked to the fighting in the neighboring country.
The army frequently engages in clashes with these groups, most notably in the northeastern border areas of Arsal and Ras Baalbek.
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