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Lebanon claims 'victory' over terror near Syria border

August 30, 2017 at 9:00 pm

Lebanese President Michel Aoun [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

Lebanese President Michel Aoun today announced his country’s “victory over terrorism” following a 10-day army campaign against Daesh terrorists holed up near the Syrian border.

Earlier today, Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun (no relation) officially announced the successful completion of the Lebanese army’s Operation Fajr Al-Juroud, also known as “Dawn of the Outskirts”.

He described the operation, which was first launched last week, as “a decisive victory against terrorism – one that succeeded in expelling Daesh from the border towns of Ras Baalbek and Qaa”.

At a press conference convened in Beirut with the army commander and Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf, President Aoun congratulated the army on its achievements and honoured the “martyrs who fell during the campaign”.

Read: Lebanon calls on UN to renew peacekeepers’ mandate

On 19 August, the Lebanese army launched a wide-ranging campaign to purge Daesh terrorists from mountainous areas near the Syrian border.

According to official Lebanese figures, six army personnel were killed in the fighting – and another 17 injured – while dozens of Daesh fighters were killed.