Syria's Al-Qaeda wing, the Nusra Front, said an alliance with other Islamist groups active in Qalamoun region has been formed Tuesday called 'Army of Fatah in Qalamoun', similar to command room formed by Nusra in Idlib.
'Army of Fatah' is a reference to the conquests that spread Islam across the Middle East from the seventh century.
Meanwhile, the Nusra-led alliance has deployed thousands of fighters who fanned out in areas near the Lebanese border.
The fighters took up positions overlooking Hezbollah and Syrian army outposts in the towns of Wadi Barada, Al-Kfeir, Zabadani, Serghaya and Hreira.
On Monday, the Nusra Front launched brazen attacks on Hezbollah and Syrian army positions in the western Qalamoun mountains, leaving a number of fighters killed and wounded, according to The Daily Star newspaper.
Activists said on Tuesday that Hezbollah field commander, Ali Khalil al-Alayan, has been killed in Qalamoun battles.
The clashes are still ongoing amid artillery and aerial bombardment by the Syrian regime army and allied militias stationed in the Lebanese villages of Nahle and Brital.
Monday’s surprise attack came after Islamist militants tactically withdrew from strategic areas in the western Qalamoun mountain range, allowing for the advance of Hezbollah and Syrian army forces, a source told The Daily Star.
The fighters also seized several positions around Al-Juba, including two strategic hill-top positions, the source added.
In relevant development, Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri attacked Hezbollah Tuesday over its preparations for an anticipated large-scale battle in Qalamoun region against Nusra-led rebels, saying the fight is meant to protect the Syrian government, and not Lebanon, The Daily Star reported.
Zaman Al Wasl
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