Lebanese army chief, General Joseph Aoun announced on Saturday the start of an operation against Takfiri ISIL group near the Syrian border in the outskirts of Al-Qaa and Ras Baalbek.

“In the name of Lebanon, in the name of kidnapped Lebanese soldiers, in the name of martyrs of the army, I announce the launch of ‘Fajr al-Joroud Operation’ in the outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa (towns),” General Aoun said in a statement.

Al-Manar correspondent said that as soon as General Aoun announced that the offensive has started, the Lebanese army artillery pounded ISIL positions in the outskirts of the two towns.

Local media also reported that shortly after the announcement, President Michel Aoun arrived at the Defense Ministry in Yarze east of Beirut to follow up on the operation.

Source: Lebanese media