Map -Syrian Lebanese Borders.jpg


The army outpost targeted by the attack is 200 meters west of the borderline with Syria at the remote village of Quld al-Sabaa in the Hezbollah stronghold of Hermel province.

The region is a reputed smuggling trail abutting Syrian territory in the rough terrain of east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

The reports said army troops responded to the sources of fire and a chase was carried out for the gunmen who withdrew further east towards Syrian territory.

It could not be determined, however, if the gunmen had managed to cross into Syria.

The United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 of August 2006 had banned the smuggling of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

It couldn't be determined, however, if the assailants who attacked the army post on Wednesday were smugglers.

The army casualties were identified as Saadallah Khalil Yazbek, who was killed in the initial clash, and Ahmed al-Khatib, who was wounded in the early stage of the chase.

Local reporters said at least two of the gunmen were wounded in the clash with the army, but they haven't been arrested.

The Army Command, in a communiqué, said a soldier was "martyred" and another wounded when gunmen opened fire at an army outpost in the northern sector of the Bekaa Valley.

Army units "responded to the sources of fire," the communiqué said.

The gunmen, according to the communiqué, "escaped" and "casualties in the ranks of the attackers could not be determined."

The Hermel Province, a reputed Hezbollah stronghold, also is home for clans that traditionally live on smuggling between Lebanon and Syria.

Share this Article: Share on Facebook  Digg This!  Save on del.icio.us  Add to Google  Seed Newsvine  Save to Yahoo My Web
Feedback? We want to hear your thoughts!

Tags: Hezbollah, Lebanon, source: Naharnet, Syria, Ya Libnan