Three armies fighting for control of Syrian-Lebanese border
Lebanese chief of staff Gen. Joseph Aloun announced Saturday the launch of the Dawn of Outskirts operation to clear ISIS and Nusra Front out of the Ras Baalbek and Al-Qaa areas of the northern Lebanese Beqaa Valley. According to a separate statement, the Syrian and Hizblalah armies are fighting to liberate Syria’s western Qalamoun mountain range, which overlooks the Lebanese border.
The Lebanese military claims its operation is unrelated to the Hizballah-Syrian battle. But Hizballah says the three armies are working in concert. DEBKAfile: The Lebanese operation actually began two weeks ago and has made no progress in dislodging the jihadis.