Tensions rise in Lebanon's Arsal over jihadists' clashes across border

Fierce clashes renewed on Friday between the al-Qaida linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State (IS) rival jihadist groups on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, which has left several militants dead and wounded from both groups.

The clashes spread to most areas on Arsal's outskirts and in Syria's Qalamoun where al-Nusra and IS have posts, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The NNA said there was ongoing fighting in al-Zamarani, Wadi al-Kheil, Khirbet al-Hosn, Qurnet al-Oueini, al-Malahi, Dahr al-Lizzabeh and al-Jarajir, which created "tensions between the residents and the militants" in Arsal.

It also said the Lebanese army went on alert in the area and was intermittently shelling movements by the militants in Ras Baalbek's outskirts.

Fighting erupted on Thursday but a truce had been reached overnight between the two jihadists groups, according to media reports.

The clashes, which have left scores dead and injured, have been described as the bloodiest between the rival extremists.

The Lebanese army has shelled the posts and movements of both groups during the clashes between them in recent days.

The militants of al-Nusra and the IS clash with the army occasionally but a major confrontation erupted in August 2014 when the two groups overran briefly Arsal. Endit