Syrian Opposition to Launch Preemptive Attack in Qalamoun
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-opposition-launch-preemptive-attack-qalamoun
Both sides in the Syrian conflict – the armed opposition and the Syrian army backed by Hezbollah – are preparing for battle in the Qalamoun Mountains and the hills surrounding Ersal in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley. Indeed, both sides believe this showdown is inevitable, according to sources from both camps, because the region in question is a vital artery that feeds fighters and weapons to the Syrian hinterland.
Sources affiliated with the Syrian opposition told Al-Akhbar there was a plan in place for a preemptive attack to retake the Joussieh border crossing, which is located north of Ersal and south of Qusayr, from the Syrian army and Hezbollah. Before the fall of Qusayr, the crossing was in the hands of the opposition fighters. After the Syrian army retook Qusayr with the help of Hezbollah, the opposition militants made two failed attempts to take the crossing.
