ISIL terror group claims blame for Arsal shelling

ISIL terror group claims blame for Arsal shelling
Sat Jan 18, 2014 23:03:20

The al-Qaeda-linked terror group that calls itself 'Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the deadly shelling of the eastern Lebanese town of Arsal in the Bekaa Valley.

Pages on Internet social networking sites circulated on Saturday the terrorist group’s statement in which it claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.

"Following the persistence of the so-called free army groups in Arsal in the crackdown on our brothers in the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - the state of Lebanon, a group of our elite fighters stormed the strongholds of the Free Army in the town of Arsal, ISIL statement said.

"We warn secular elements in the town of Arsal of the consequences of going too far in their actions under penalty of punishment, calling them to return to their senses and religion and hold on to the book of Allah and revelation," the statement further boasted.

At least seven people were killed on Friday by the mortar fire against the Lebanese border town that came from the Syrian side of the border.

At least seven mortars launched by the terrorist group landed in Arsal, which is located some 124 kilometers northeast of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in the Baalbek district.

Two children were among the killed. The mortar fire, which also hit a field clinic and a Syrian refugee camp, left over a dozen people injured.

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