An army statement has confirmed the death of three Lebanese soldiers, on Sunday, 20th of August. The incident as reported was caused by a landmine that unfortunately destroyed their vehicle near the border with Syria. The report further added that another soldier in the incident was critically wounded.
The Arab News Post inferred that ‘the landmine may have been planted by Islamic State group militants active in the border badlands.’ Perhaps, it is their way of indentifying and establishing to the public their presence in that border area.
Post from the Arab News revealed that ‘the incident took place as the US-backed Lebanese Armed Forces pressed their offensive in a mountainous region bordering Syria, capturing new hills from the Islamic State group.’ This unfortunate loss in the army has since generated a growing concern.
According to the Arab News report, the IS-terrorists have had a foot hold in the area since 2014. And that only recently was a counter attack launched against the terrorists.
“Sunday’s gains come a day after the US-backed army launched its biggest military operation yet against IS, who in 2014 gained a foothold along the tiny Mediterranean country’s border with Syria,” the report stated.
According to a military official, Army troops have ‘captured several hills in the outskirts of the Lebanese village of Ras Baalbek.’ He added that army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun recently visited those areas regained from the extremists.
The fight against the militants however continues. The Army has reinstated its commitment to meet this end. From the end of the security personnel, ‘the Syrian regime army and its ally, the Lebanese Hizballah group, are pushing to clear IS militants from the Syrian side of the border, in the western Qalamoun mountain range.’
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
