Heavy Hizbullah Shelling Hits Arsal Outskirts as Report Says 'Operation' Underway

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Heavy Hizbullah shelling was on Thursday targeting militant posts in the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, as a media report said the group's long-anticipated “operation” against jihadists in the area had started.

“Hizbullah has targeted militant posts in Wadi al-Kheil in Arsal's outskirts with fierce artillery shelling,” LBCI TV reported.

Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) meanwhile said “Hizbullah has started its major operation with artillery shelling at the outskirts of Flita (in Syria) and Wadi al-Kheil in Arsal's outskirts, where al-Nusra Front has positions.”

“The sounds of Hizbullah's artillery shelling are being clearly heard in the regions of al-Labweh, al-Nabi Otheman, al-Ain and al-Bazzaliyeh” in northern Bekaa, the radio network said.

“The Lebanese Red Cross has started setting up field centers in al-Fakiha and nothern Bekaa,” Voice of Lebanon said.

The radio network also reported that the Lebanese army had reinforced its outposts “in anticipation of any responses from the militants against army posts in Arsal's vicinity or northern Bekaa.”

TV networks meanwhile reported that Syrian warplanes had waged a fresh raid on al-Nusra's posts in the border region.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had on July 11 warned jihadist militants in Arsal's outskirts that “there is not much time left for settlements.”

“It’s about time we put an end to the threat of the militant groups in Arsal’s outskirts,” he said.

Nusra jihadists and others from the rival Islamic State group are entrenched in Arsal's outskirts and other areas along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The Lebanese army regularly shells their posts while Hizbullah and the Syrian army have engaged in clashes with them on the Syrian side of the border.

Comments 10
Thumb lubnani.masi7i over 6 years

It is allowed in this country to have a militia stronger than the army; it is not insulting to to the army or its reputation.

the shias are allowed to carry weapons, steal, trade in drugs, and murder with impunity?

Thumb Mystic over 6 years

Die you salafi scum, feel the pain and die.

Thumb Elemental over 6 years

You inbred cheat, you and salafi's are the problem.

Thumb Hayek.Feghali.Abdelatif over 6 years

"Lebanon must not be allowed to become a battleground between the army and groups affiliated with al Qaeda. Are you willing to fight the wars of others inside Lebanon?" Hassan Nasrallah May 25, 2007

Thumb Hayek.Feghali.Abdelatif over 6 years

"There is a camp that houses 35,000 to 40,000 inhabitants who are there including women, children, elderly people and many people who have nothing to do with what is taking place. If there is a group that one wishes to call as an armed group, criminals, killers, or you want to call them as you want - I am not a judge today - how can I attack 40,000 people and destroy a camp while I want to enter the camp and arrest a group of armed men? From a humanitarian and ethical point of view, the camp is a Palestinian camp and is like any Lebanese village from a legal point of view. If there is a Lebanese village where there is an armed group that you want to arrest, do you destroy the village and kill those people in the village who have nothing! to do with the group? Hassan Nasrallah May 25, 2007

Thumb shab over 6 years

Filthy murdering militia

Thumb Hayek.Feghali.Abdelatif over 6 years

"The preservation of the army's prestige cannot be by pushing the army into a battle whose repercussions and perils we know. It goes without saying that an investigation into the incident should be initiated to see how these incidents started, who made decisions because there is much talk in al directions and there were many question marks in the country and I do not want to judge people. If I want to be fair, an investigation committee must be formed and the issue scrutinized to determine what has taken place, at whose orders and request did this take place, which is the party that benefits and who started the battle so that we may pinpoint the objectives of the battle. Hassan Nasrallah May 25, 2007

Thumb marcus over 6 years

Only the criminal terrorist can call for investigating the army.

Thumb Hayek.Feghali.Abdelatif over 6 years

Are we interested in opening a struggle arena with Al-Qaeda in Lebanon? This conflict will also attract elements and fighters from all corners of the world to Lebanon to fight the Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces and the other Lebanese. This will begin as a struggle with Al-Qaeda but we do not know where this will lead us or where will it end. Hassan Nasrallah May 25, 2007

Thumb i.report over 6 years

More like Houthis versus Lebanon.