Lebanese army restores control over militant-seized site in Ersal

The Lebanese army announced Monday that its forces have retaken control over southeastern city of Ersal which was seized by terrorist groups coming from neighboring Syria.
In a press statement, the army vowed that it would continue execute military operations in Ersal and the surrounding areas to remove all terrorist spots. The army, however, admitted that it had suffered a number of deaths and injuries during clashes with the armed groups.
Terrorist groups are attacking citizens in the area, preventing them from leaving the town, the statement noted. The terrorists also killed citizens who refused to follow their orders, the statement added.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), three children were killed in the clashes between the armed men and the Lebanese army, while large numbers of citizens fled Ersal towards other distant towns.
The army regained control over three sites which were dominated by the terrorists in Ersal, the agency noted. The Lebanese army had announced the death of one officer and nine soldiers in the clashes, the agency added.
Lebanese Minister of Defense Samir Muqbil said on Sunday that the government will continue the military operations against the armed groups, noting that the terrorists could not succeed in turning Ersal into their headquarters.
The clashes between the Lebanese army and the multi-nationality armed groups coming from the Syrian side had entered the third day of continuous fighting.
The fighting broke out on Saturday shortly after the army arrested a leading member of the Syrian opposition group, Al-Nusra Front, as he was crossing the borders.