Armed clashes erupted early Monday (July 4th) between the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) and al-Nusra Front (ANF) on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, Lebanese media reported.
Fighting began at dawn after ISIL seized control of an ANF checkpoint in al-Malahi area, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
Al-Jadeed television said “fierce clashes” were under way in al-Malahi, Wadi Hmeid and Wadi al-Zamarani areas, east of Arsal.
Later in the day, clashes renewed and "various types of medium- and heavy-calibre weapons" were being used in the fighting in the outskirts of Arsal and Ras Baalbek, NNA said, reporting that both sides had suffered casualties.
Meanwhile, ANF set up a "checkpoint" in Wadi Hmeid, NNA said.
