Jean Kahwagi visited the units spread across the outskirts of Arsal, where he stressed the need to “prevent terrorism from reaching Lebanon, no matter how much blood and sacrifice it takes.” The sources believed that the militants wanted to send a message to the army leadership, reaffirming that they still have cards to play.Īlthough controlling the hills in the region is an essential goal for the armed groups, the sources ruled out the possibility that the recent attack on Tallet al-Hamra was intended to let IS remain there, sin ce that would require a comprehensive military operation to protect the militants and secure logistical supply roads by occupying the neighboring hills, including Tallet Umm Khaled (the closest to Tallet al-Hamra), Tahoun al-Hawa hill, Mkhairmeh and Khirbet al-Jrash. Interestingly, the attack took place less than 24 hours after Lebanese commander Gen. IS hopes to strengthen its position in the negotiations to release the kidnapped soldiers, as well as build pressure on the Lebanese government.
Well-informed security sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the available intelligence revealed that the main goal was to kidnap more soldiers to add to those in captivity since the Aug. The move was part of IS’ plan to take over the lands surrounding Arsal, connect them to the town of Arsal then to the rest of the Christian towns of the northern Bekaa, reaching Danniyeh and Akkar in the north.Īfter the attempt failed, the armed groups turned their attention to taking control over the largest area possible and impose their conditions on the Lebanese government. The site, located on the outskirts of the village of Ras Baalbek in the northern Bekaa, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the town of Baalbek, was reinforced with additional units arrived after it became apparent that the militants aimed to attack the Christian-majority villages there. This attack, the second in the same place in three months, ended with the army regaining control over the site after dozens of militants and eight soldiers were killed. 22, the Lebanese army opened a new chapter in the war against terrorism, thwarting an Islamic State (IS) attack against a guard post for the army’s second land border regiment in Tallet al-Hamra, in the lands beyond Ras Baalbek, in the east of Lebanon.
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