There is frequent fighting between the army and around 1,000-1,200 militants dug into the hills around Arsal in a large pocket of territory straddling the border, Lebanese General Youssef al-Dik said. They regard the mountains along the Lebanese border as a strategic base and also consider Lebanon to be under the thumb of Assad's ally, Shi'ite Hezbollah. DANGER Many Lebanese Sunnis resent the dominance of Shi'ite Hezbollah, saying it has cut them off from power and perpetuated Syrian influence. Islamic State still holds nine Lebanese soldiers hostage. General al-Dik said the army had staged raids in the Arsal refugee camps in recent months, arresting “terrorist leaders” there.

Source: Sunday Times September 28, 2016 14:17 UTC