Hezbollah Kills a Notorious Jabhat Al-Nusra Member; Syrian Army Begins Operations in Hajar Al-Aswad

Abu Musa’ab Waladi – a prominent member of Jabhat Al-Nusra – was killed by Hezbollah soldiers near the village of Rankous in the Qalamoun Mountains yesterday. Before his death in Syria, Abu Musa’ab spent time in a Lebanese prison last year after being arrested by the Lebanese Army for allegedly smuggling weapons in and out of Lebanon. According to a source, Abu Musa’ab left Lebanon after his release from prison and rejoined his comrades in Jabhat Al-Nusra – he was also believed to have returned to Lebanon in August to carry out operations against the Lebanese Army in ‘Arsal District.

After almost 2 years since their withdrawal from the densely populated Hajar Al-Aswad (Black Stone) in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is now on the outskirts of the city, preparing for the siege of this imperative area south of Damascus. According to a military source in the West Ghouta, Hajar Al-Aswad is an integral city that will take time to properly clear – he further added that the majority of 90,000 civilians that once populated this city have fled since the entry of militants 2 years ago.

The Lebanese Army arrested the leader of a militia that fights under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Syria – ‘Abdullah Al- Rifa’ay was apprehended by the Lebanese Army on the border of Syria and Lebanon at the village of Wadi Al-Hameed (‘Arsal District). Al-Rifa’ay was dressed as a female refugee attempting to cross into Lebanon in order to evade the violence in Syria. Upon his discovery, he revealed his true identity and surrendered his belongings to the Lebanese Army.