Bekaa Valley towns prepare for army campaign to drive out ISIS

As the Lebanese army prepares to drive the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) from the barren outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa, residents of the two border towns told Al-Mashareq the military has their full support.

Meanwhile, they said, life is continuing more or less as normal in the towns.

Ras Baalbek supermarket owner Tony Francis told Al-Mashareq the atmosphere in the town has been "normal" and residents generally feel safe.

As preparations for the battle to drive ISIS from outlying areas go ahead, he said, "the town's residents are celebrating joyous occasions on a daily basis".

But this "does not mean that we are not concerned with what our town is about to witness", he stressed. "We are prepared and ready to stand by the army."

"If we are asked to be on the front lines, we will not hesitate," he said.

Ras Baalbek residents have "put all their resources at the army's disposal, because the battle is to defend us and liberate our land and our livelihood from a nightmare that has hung over us for six years", he added.

The battle in the rugged surrounds of Ras Baalbek will likely be more difficult than the one to be fought in the area around al-Qaa, Francis said, because the area is expansive and the terrain is akin to that of a cardboard egg holder.

ISIS has set up posts around Heqab al-Hamam and Shaab al-Kaf, in a cave in Shmeis al-Osh, in Marah Darb al-Athm, and has set up a forward monitoring post on Tallat al-Mukhairimeen and various underground positions, he said.

All of these locations constitute juroud Ras Baalbek, he said.

Local residents are "vigilant to the current stage and on alert to assist the army", he said, adding that the municipality has set up an emergency room that will be in direct communication with the civil defence and the Red Cross.

Developments in the field

Amid the security mobilisation, Ras Baalbek residents "are living their normal lives", retired teacher Julia al-Arja told Al-Mashareq.

Since the word came out about the approach of the battle to oust ISIS, Ras Baalbek natives who live in Beirut and its suburbs and seldom visit have been in closer touch with their hometown, she said.

They have been keeping abreast of new developments in the field, she said, adding that they are "ready to help and assist whenever they are asked".

Al-Arja said the new developments also prompted her to remain in the town, which she normally visits only on weekends.

"I could not stay away from the rapidly moving course of events," she said, adding that all residents are united in their support of the army.

Women and men of all ages "are one hand extended to support and back the army in its battle against terrorism", she said.

Al-Qaa on heightened alert

Al-Qaa residents are staying alert to any suspicious movement in the town on the eve of the upcoming operation, al-Qaa mayor Bashir Matar told Al-Mashareq.

But town residents are remaining calm and life is going on as normal, he said.

The town is ready to offer assistance "if the army asks us to do so", he added, noting that the municipality has taken precautionary measures to be ready to supply water, electricity and medicine.

All the town’s youth "are ready to form a first line [of defence] to back the army if necessary", Matar said, adding that residents are currently monitoring the town’s entrances for suspicious movements.