In series of coordinated bombings in a single village in the North of Lebanon last week, Daesh (ISIS) heralded what could be a new wave of attacks in the Levant.
Five people were killed in eight separate suicide bombings which hit the village of al Qaa last Monday, attacks that officials say were carried out by groups from inside Syria. In response, the government has arrested some 400 Syrians in Lebanon and reportedly foiled a second attack, arresting five people who allegedly planned an attack on a tourist site.
Meanwhile Hezbollah, currently fighting in the north of Syria in support of Bashar al Assad’s regime, have been continuing the fight against Daesh – targeting militants and killing their commander in charge of the Qaa area where the bombings took place.
A video released by the Hezbollah affiliated Media War Centre said fighters killed “Abu Khatab” and several of his men in an attack on their command centre. The short clip, filmed from a remote position, shows the glowing lights of guided missiles apparently striking a bunker.
Hezbollah’s chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said the Shiite group regards villages like al Qaa as of key importance, and will protect them from the threat of Daesh attacks from across the border. He added that people should keep confidence in Lebanese security forces in the face of further potential threats from the group, the Daily Star reported.
In al Qaa, local women attracted international attention after taking up arms against the growing threat to their homes from Daesh.
