Two Lebanese soldiers killed in Arsal blast | News , Lebanon News | THE DAILY STAR
BAALBEK, Lebanon: Two Lebanese soldiers were killed Friday in a roadside bomb that targeted an Army patrol unit in the northeastern region of Arsal, security sources told The Daily Star.
The explosion occurred as the unit made its way to Wadi Hmeid on the outskirts of the Arsal, near the border with Syria, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
Two soldiers, Mohammad Daher and Ali al-Kharrat, died of wounds they sustained from the blast, the source said, while three others, identified as Mahmoud Fadel, Yehya Mheish and Mohammad al-Baghrini, were wounded.
Daher was from the northern village of Aydamoun in Akkar while Kharrat was from the coastal city of Sidon.
A source at the hospital in Arsal told The Daily Star that one of the wounded was in critical condition and had been transferred to another hospital. The other two are stable and remain in Arsal. The source said all three suffered head wounds, along with injuries to their arms.
Soldiers quickly cordoned off the area of the explosion. Hours later, the Lebanese Army confirmed the deadly incident, saying the blast occurred around 12:15 p.m. and that the military police had launched an investigation.
Military units launched raids in several parts of Arsal including Wadi Hmeid in search of militants as Syrian jets bombed the outskirts of the region, a security source said.
The Lebanese Army has beefed up security in the northeastern region following last month's clashes with militant fighters from ISIS and Nusra Front who sought to overrun the town, which provided the gunmen with a strategic smuggling route between Lebanon and Syria.
Soldiers have arrested a number of Syrians suspected of belonging to radical groups as well as involvement in the clashes that have left 19 soldiers dead.
Nusra Front and ISIS are holding at least 22 soldiers and policemen captured during the fighting in Arsal. ISIS has so far beheaded two soldiers, while Nusra has released seven as a sign of goodwill.
The border with Syria is believed to have been infiltrated by large numbers of militants affiliated with ISIS and Nusra Front, who have claimed responsibility for several suicide attacks in Lebanon over the last year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tammam Salam followed up on the latest developers in Arsal, contacting Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Army commander Army Gen. Jean Kahwagi.
Salam stressed on the need to remain alert and ready to face "the takfiri forces" in their attacks in Arsal.
Two Lebanese soldiers killed in Arsal blast | News , Lebanon News | THE DAILY STAR