BEIRUT, August 2 (RIA Novosti) – Rebels from the Islamist group Jabhat al-Nusra have attacked Lebanon’s northeastern town of Arsal, along the border with Syria, targeting the Lebanese army’s checkpoints, the country’s National News Agency reported Saturday.
Two soldiers and two civilians died in the incident.
According to the agency, the rebels attacked the checkpoints of the Lebanese army following the detention of a Syrian national, Imad Ahmad Joumaa, affiliated with the organization.
Shortly after, the rebels seized a police office in the town. The Lebanese army is pulling in its troops to the combat area.
In a statement, the Lebanese army stressed that it “will not allow any party to transfer the battle from Syria to Lebanon” and warned of decisive and firm actions against those threatening security of the country and lives of Lebanese soldiers and security officers.
The area around Arsal has also been frequently subject to regular air raids and shelling by Syria, which sees the city as harbor of al-Qaeda extremists.
