BEIRUT: The Lebanese army on Saturday said it targeted Daesh positions in Ras Baalbek, resulting in “the destruction of many fortifications and vehicles,” and “many confirmed casualties among the terrorists.”
The army started using advanced weaponry, including airstrikes, against Daesh in the past few days, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
A Lebanese military source told Arab News: “Army rocket launchers and cannons have been intensifying their bombardment of Daesh posts, and fear is evident among its members.”
Lebanese Defense Minister Yaqoub Sarraf on Friday said the fighting “will only end when the last inch of (Lebanese) territory is liberated and all kidnapped soldiers are freed. The army is our sole protector and we do not seek advice from anyone.”
He added that the army “is equipped with vehicles and methods that can be relied upon to make the decisions it deems necessary.”
The army “is the only party capable of choosing when and how to fight any battle, and no political party has any right to pressure (it)… There are no national, regional or international forces that can pressure the army.”
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) explained in a statement the role it played in Arsal after the cease-fire deal between Hezbollah and Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (JFS).
“The process of exchanging bodies and prisoners, and moving the displaced (families), was financed by the Norwegian Red Cross with a contribution from the Dutch Red Cross,” the LRC said.
“Upon the request of the Lebanese General Security (LGS),” the LRC said it “performed the process of the prisoner and dead-body exchange between the two adversaries, and transported some detainees held by Lebanese authorities.”
The LRC said the LGS also assigned it “the task of managing logistics, escorting and convoys, and transporting the sick and wounded.”
Accordingly, the LRC said it contacted the Syrian Red Crescent, which provided 161 vehicles with different capacities that entered Lebanon.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said JFS was no longer holding prisoners from his party.
He added that Hezbollah fought in Arsal “with capabilities, weapons and expertise we received with full support from Iran.”
Nasrallah reiterated his party’s willingness to “work as a reserve” in the army’s battle against Daesh.
Abu Malik Al-Tally
Abu Malik Al-Tally, JFS leader in Qalamun, told the Ebaa news agency that the decision to withdraw from Arsal “came after long consideration and deliberations,” and “was taken to protect the safety of locals and refugees in the area.”
He said the cease-fire deal included “the release of some male and female prisoners from Hezbollah and Lebanese government jails, and a pledge not to harass those who decide to remain in the area.”
