The Lebanese army has expanded its targets along the northeastern border with Syria, pounding jihadi militants on the outskirts of Arsal, security sources said Tuesday.
The sources said the new preemptive measure began late-Monday night with artillerymen shelling ISIS [Daesh] and Nusra Front positions around Wadi Hmeid and Wadi Hosn on Arsal’s outskirts.
The army had maintained a near-daily pattern of pounding militant positions on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek, which nestles in the barren mountainsides embracing the Bekaa Valley, for about 10-15 minutes every few hours in a bid to repulse possible jihadi attacks.
It was the first time the army shelled Wadi Hmeid and Wadi Hosn – the farthest east points in Arsal, close to the border with Syria.
The policy of preemptive shelling was put in place after eight soldiers, including an officer, were killed and 22 others were wounded in fierce clashes with ISIS militants on the outer edge of Ras Baalbek in January.
More than 40 militants were discovered on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek, most of whom were killed in army airstrikes on their vehicle convoy. The fighting erupted after ISIS militants attacked and briefly overran the army post in Talet al-Hamra.
That was the most serious attack since ISIS and Nusra Front militants fought a five-day battle with the army in the northeastern town of Arsal in August. The two militant groups still hold 25 soldiers and policemen hostage on Arsal’s outskirts after capturing more than 37 during the Arsal fighting. Four have been killed, while eight others have been released.
By Nidal Solh
