Next Phase of Arsal Offensive Pushes for Militants' Withdrawal

The “second phase” of Hizbullah's offensive against al-Nusra Front militants in the outskirts of Arsal will probably “end at dawn on Sunday,” paving way for the “third phase which opens channels of negotiations to secure the withdrawal of insurgents into Syria,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

کد خبر: ۷۱۵۸۰۴

تاریخ: ۰۴ مرداد ۱۳۹۶ - ۱۱:۴۵

The "second phase” of Hizbullah's offensive against al-Nusra Front militants in the outskirts of Arsal will probably "end at dawn on Sunday,” paving way for the "third phase which opens channels of negotiations to secure the withdrawal of insurgents into Syria,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

An unnamed military source following-up closely on Hizbullah's operation, told the daily that the "noose will be tightened around 120 militants lingering in the Wadi Hmayyed area near the amusement park.”

The "third phase will later begin by opening the channels of communication to secure the withdrawal of insurgents, unarmed, into Syria. The militants would eventually bow in the end as a result of the situation on the ground and the collapse of their defense lines,” said the source.

On the other hand, a security source told the daily on condition of anonymity that "none of the Nusra militants entered into the encampments of refugees in Wadi Hmayyed near the amusement park.”

He pointed out that "only around 150 gunmen from Saraya Ahl al-Sham rebel group entered into the area,” and that "negotiations to secure their withdrawal will be made.”

Furthermore, the "Lebanese army has upped its security precautions to prevent Abu Malek al-Talli ( the embattled leader of al-Nusra Front for the Lebanese-Syrian border region) or any of his gunmen from infiltrating into Arsal,” added the source.

In parallel, the Lebanese security services continue their crackdown on terrorist cells. The Internal Security Forces announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a sleeper cell following raids in Beirut and the Bekaa valley. The cells were waiting for final instructions from the Islamic State terror organization.

Hizbullah said on Monday its fight against militant groups along the eastern border with war-ravaged Syria was "nearing its end", and called on fighters to surrender.

Hizbullah announced a major push on Friday to clear both sides of Lebanon's border with Syria from "armed terrorists".

The clashes are focused on the outskirts of Arsal, a mountainous area around the Lebanese border town of Arsal.

Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees live in the town and the surrounding Arsal's outskirts area, some in camps.

Hizbullah, which has been fighting alongside Syrian government forces since 2013, announced the offensive on Friday morning.

The clashes have killed at least one civilian, and Hizbullah has carried out funeral services for at least 18 of its fighters.

The Lebanese army has not officially declared its participation in the offensive but has fired shells on "terrorists" in the area.