US-led coalition strikes convoy of Daesh evacuees from Lebanon

A Lebanese Army soldier looks through binoculars in Ras Baalbek, Lebanon, in this August 28, 2017 photo. (REUTERS)

BEIRUT: The US-led coalition on Wednesday struck buses transporting Daesh fighters who were evacuated from the Lebanese-Syrian border to eastern Syria, said coalition spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon.
AFP quoted Dillon as saying the raid was carried out 鈥渢o prevent the convoy from moving further east; we punched a crater in the road and destroyed a small bridge.鈥�
The raid comes amid anger in Iraq over the evacuation deal between Daesh and Hezbollah, under which Daesh fighters are being transported to Syria鈥檚 Deir Ezzor province, which borders Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said: 鈥淭his agreement is unacceptable, as we are fighting the terrorist group inside Iraq.鈥� The deal is an 鈥渋nsult to the Iraqi people,鈥� he added.
This sentiment was echoed by Dillon, who said: 鈥淩elocating terrorists from one place to another for someone else to deal with is not a lasting solution.鈥�
Daesh and Hezbollah had agreed that upon the arrival of the convoy in Deir Ezzor, which is under Daesh control, the terrorist group would free Ahmed Mounir Maatouq, a hostage from Hezbollah, and hand over the bodies of two Hezbollah fighters and Iranian Hassan Hajji.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah responded to the Iraqi condemnation by saying the agreement 鈥渨as to transfer a number of Daesh fighters and their families from Syrian territories to Syrian territories, not to Iraq.鈥�
Nasrallah added: 鈥淭hey are 310 defeated and conquered militants. We moved them from a battlefront we are fighting in, to another front we are also fighting in.鈥�
Hours before the coalition raid, Lebanon鈥檚 president and military declared victory against Daesh in Operation Barrens鈥� Dawn.
Address the Lebanese people and announcing the end of the operation, President Michel Aoun said: 鈥淭he army proved to be strong as it is the only military force that defeated Daesh, and what distinguished this battle is the high level of professionalism. Do not allow political bickering to make you forget this victory.鈥�
After his meeting with the president, Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun told reporters: 鈥淲e besieged the terrorists from three sides, and we did not let them know where they were attacked from. The element of surprise led to their collapse. We did not arrest anyone because they were either killed or fled to Syrian territories.鈥�
Asked why Daesh fighters were allowed to withdraw instead of being arrested, the commander replied: 鈥淲e had the chance to win the battle without going on with it until the end, and this a great achievement for us.鈥�
Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of US Central Command, on Wednesday congratulated the Lebanese military on the operation鈥檚 success.
The Lebanese National News Agency quoted Votel as saying the US will keep supporting the Lebanese Army with weapons and equipment to develop and strengthen its capabilities.
Gen. Aoun told Votel: 鈥淎merican aid to the army had actively contributed to the success of the operation.鈥�