DALY SCOPE: HUNDREDS OF TERRORISTS FLEE FROM QALAMOUN

Local Editor

AS-SAFIR
 
"Moussa Mountain" Falls, Qalamoun Battle Nears End

AL-AKHBAR

Qalamoun: Mission 1 Accomplished

AL-BINAA
 
Heart of Qalamoun Falls, Opens Security Door of Arsal

AD-DIYAR
 
Hizbullah Uses New Destructive Weapons to Destroy Tunnels, "Israel" Worried

Lebanese newspapers on Thursday focused on the latest developments in the Syrian Qalamoun region, where fierce battles have been taking place between the extremist armed groups and the Syrian army supported by the resistance. Also, the Yemeni ongoing crisis had its share in the papers, with the ongoing US-Saudi hit and run talks on the situation in the Persian gulf.

Qalamoun Success Hit in Face of Turkey, KSA --- AL-AKHBAR

Field sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that "the percentage of operations' success and the low human casualties among the lines of the resistance forces and the Syrian army exceeded the expected, noting that the battle is ongoing until cleansing all the outskirts surrounding Lebanon's Arsal area. 

A source involved in the battles told al-Akhbar on Thursday that "the advancements on ground during the past days constitute a hard hit to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as the other countries supporting terrorism. 

Hizbullah and the Syrian army attained a major battlefield progress in Flita and Ras al-Maara barrens in Qalamoun, controlling Moussa mountain on Wednesday. The Lebanese Resistance and the Syrian army troops controlled 50% of Ras al-Maara barrens, regaining several strategic positions, and killing a large number of takfiri terrorists. Tallet al-Harf, Dahr al-Hawa and the bordering Lebanese al-Khashaat heights were regained completely by Hezbollah and the Syrian army.

Hundreds of Terrorist Flee to Arsal from Qalamoun ---AL-BINAA

Well-informed sources told al-Binaa newspaper that tremendous numbers of terrorist groups have fled from Qalamoun. The source said between 500 to 700 armed terrorists fled through the Lebanese village Arsal and its outskirts, where the takfiri groups are gathering. On the backdrop of the move, the Lebanese army enhanced its security forces in the Ras Baalbeck area to prevent any infiltration of the terrorists into Lebanon's territory.

Furthermore, the sources noted that the preliminary plan aimed at controlling all key points in the region, which was accomplished very successfully and in a shorter period than expected, adding that the operations were carried out in several maneuvers by the Syrian army and the Hizbullah resistance forces.

Moreover, the sources stressed that "the operations carried out by the Syrian army and the resistance forces showed the qualitative capabilities of the engagement in battle, which is a strategic advancement that worries "Israel" so much especially as the resistance forces and Syrian army used new and developed weapons."

AN-NAHAR

Sources from the Qalamoun battles told An-Nahar daily "there has been a remarkable development in the area, where strong clashes took place between the armed groups, especially al-Nusra front and Daesh." According to the source, the region of Ajram Valley and Kheyl Valley in Arsal outskirts witnessed major and fierce battles as the terrorist groups attacked each other, which led to the killing and injury of dozens of them while al-Nusra front took control of the major crosses in the area.

Vatican for the Recognition of Palestine --- NEW YORK TIMES

The Vatican announced Wednesday that it would soon sign a treaty that includes recognition of the "state of Palestine," lending significant symbolic weight to an intensifying Palestinian push for international support for sovereignty that bypasses the paralyzed negotiations with" Israel".

Palestinian leaders celebrated the Holy See's endorsement as particularly important, given the international stature of Pope Francis. For "Israelis", it was an emotional blow, since Francis has deep relationships with Jews dating back decades, and Christians are critical backers of their enterprise.

"The Vatican is not just a state. The Vatican represents hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide, including Palestinians, and has vast moral significance," said Husam Zomlot, a senior Palestinian foreign-affairs official.

"Israel's" Foreign Ministry said it was "disappointed" by the Vatican's decision, and that the recognition would "not advance the peace process." That echoed similar statements after a wave of European Parliamentary resolutions on Palestinian statehood last fall.

Source: al-Ahed news