Lebanon army kills wanted IS militant in border raid

The army says in a statement on Saturday the militant was killed during a raid to arrest infiltrators from neighbouring Syria.

The army says the killed militant, Hassan al-Malees, was wanted for his role in attacking Lebanese army posts in cross border operations, including the kidnapping of Lebanese soldiers in 2014 in the town of Arsal. Nine remain in captivity.

Lebanon’s army is battling Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked militants along its border areas with Syria, where the militants have thrived during the six year conflict.

The army says the raid, which turned deadly when the militants opened fire, also led to the arrest of 10 other militants.

The Lebanese army have been cracking down on sleeper cells as part of a comprehensive security plan across the country, says The Daily Star of Lebanon.

The eastern border region with Syria often witnesses skirmishes between militants holed up in the rugged mountainous area and Lebanese army units positioned on the border.