Hizballah repels IS attack on Lebanon-Syria border

Hizballah has foiled an attack by the Islamic State group on four of its positions north of the Lebanese town of Arsal, according to the Lebanese party's television channel, al-Manar.

Al-Manar TV said the attack left several IS fighters dead or wounded and three vehicles, including a bulldozer, destroyed. IS targeted several Hizballah positions outside the Lebanese border village of Ras Baalbek, about 12 miles north of Arsal.

The Lebanese group has been on the offensive in Qalamoun mountains for weeks and has captured key hilltops from al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front.

Al-Manar also reported that 90 percent of Nusra's positions on Arsal's outskirts were overtaken by Hizballah fighters.

Now Hizballah is left with the northern towns, mainly in Arsal's outskirts, which are predominantely controlled by IS. Heavy clashes has been reported around Arsal between Nusra and IS on one hand and Hizballah and IS on the other.

On Monday, Hizballah managed to cut a strategic route used by IS to connect Arsal to Syrian towns.