BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah vowed Friday to press on with the offensive to evict Islamist militants from the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal, saying the battle at a later stage would also target ISIS fighters based in the volatile area.
He staunchly rejected charges that Hezbollah was planning to enter Arsal, accusing his rivals in the Future Movement of spreading such rumors as a scare tactic.
“The battle for Arsal’s outskirts has kicked off and will go on until its goals have been achieved. We are not committed to a time limit,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech marking the 30th anniversary of Hezbollah’s youth scouts group, the Mahdi Scouts Association.
“We will take our time. This matter will be decided by military commanders on the field because we are concerned with achieving the goal with the least possible sacrifices. We are not in a hurry,” he added, addressing supporters via video link.