Lebanon: Hezbollah-Nusra Front ceasefire July 27 /update 1

Event

A ceasefire between Lebanese militia Hezbollah and Nusra Front-linked militant groups took effect at 06:00 (local time) on Thursday, July 27. The ceasefire halted all fighting around the Lebanese town of Aarsal. The deal includes safe passage of remaining Nusra Front militants to rebel-held Idlib in Syria, in exchange for their release of five Hezbollah soldiers. Reports say once Nusra Front fighters are cleared from the border region, the second stage of the operation will target Islamic State (IS)-linked militants in an adjacent area. Further details of the operation are unavailable. Avoid the area.

Context

Islamic insurgents have taken advantage of the porous border between Lebanon and Syria to facilitate operations within Syria and, on occasion, within Lebanon. Lebanese military forces and Hezbollah have engaged in multiple sweeps across the region to isolate and eradicate Islamic State- and Nusra Front-linked groups from the area to some success. On July 21, Hezbollah and the Syrian military launched a joint offensive in the border region between Lebanon and Syria to rid the area of the remaining Islamist militant presence. Authorities say the operation was focused on the Lebanese town of Aarsal and the Syrian town of Fleita. Early reports noted significant success on the Lebanese front by Hezbollah.

Advice

Individuals present in Lebanon are advised to avoid the border region and to remain vigilant at all times elsewhere in the country. As a reminder, Western governments strongly advise their nationals against all travel to Beirut's southern districts, southern Lebanon, the city of Tripoli (north), and the country's eastern regions (including Aarsal, Baalbek, Hermel, Majdel, and Rachaiya).