Lebanese army declares offensive against ISIL

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The Lebanese army announced Saturday the start of an offensive against ISIL militants in an area close to the Syrian border in the east of the country, where the jihadists have been entrenched for several years.

"In the name of Lebanon, in the name of kidnapped Lebanese soldiers, in the name of martyrs of the army, I announce that operation 'Dawn of Outskirts' has started," the Lebanese Army commander General Joseph Aoun said.

Soldiers hold a position in a mountainous area near the eastern town of Ras Baalbek during an operation against jihadist fighters. /AFP Photo

Lebanese President Michel Aoun was following the army operation, called "Jroud Dawn". "Jroud" refers to the barren, mountainous border area between Lebanon and Syria.

The president arrived at the Army Operation Center at Tarze and talked with the commander of the front in the outskirts of al-Qaa and Ras Baalbek. He said, "We are looking forward to victory."

Head of the Army Directorate of Orientation Brigadier General Ali Kanso also said at a press conference that the operation to liberate Lebanese grounds occupied by ISIL would end with a clear victory.

AFP Photo

The National News Agency said that the army seized control of Tallet al-Mkhayrmeh in Ras Baalbek, and pounded the ISIL posts in al-Qaa inflicting casualties among the militants' ranks.

Saturday's announcement came at the same time as Hezbollah and the Syrian army announced a similar offensive to drive ISIL militants in the western Qalamoun mountain range. But, Kanso denied any coordination with Hezbollah or the Syrian Army in the latest operation.

Hezbollah, which provides military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, launched last month an offensive to eliminate Syrian rebels as well as all jihadists formerly linked to Al-Qaeda from the region.

Soldiers bombard jihadist militants with artillery fire from recently captured positions, in a mountainous area near the town of Ras Baalbek on August 17, 2017. /AFP Photo

Shi'ite Hezbollah and its allies have been pressing the Lebanese state to normalize relations with Damascus, challenging Lebanon's official policy of neutrality toward the conflict next door.

US President Donald Trump called Hezbollah "a menace" to Lebanon and the region during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri in Washington, DC last month and promised continued US support for the Lebanese army.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency