Lebanon: IS to withdraw from Lebanon August 27 /update 2

Event

On Monday, August 28, the Syrian army and Hezbollah prepared to escort the remaining Islamic State (IS) militants from Lebanon to eastern Syria following an agreement on Sunday, August 27, between the two sides and the Lebanese army. Once the withdrawal is complete, the Syrian border areas with Lebanon will no longer have a Sunni militant presence. The agreement is viewed as a victory for the Lebanese and Syrian armies and Hezbollah.

Context

The Lebanese army launched a significant offensive against IS positions along the border with Syria on August 19, leading to the present agreement. Previously 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. Insurgent forces took advantage of the porous border between Lebanon and Syria to facilitate operations within Syria and, on occasion, within Lebanon. Lebanese military forces and Hezbollah engaged in multiple operations across the region in recent years to isolate and eradicate IS- and Nusra Front-linked groups from the area.

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).