BEIRUT, Lebanon — On Jan. 22, the Lebanese army opened a new chapter in the war against terrorism, thwarting an Islamic State (IS) attack against a guard post for the army’s second land border regiment in Tallet al-Hamra, in the lands beyond Ras Baalbek, in the east of Lebanon. This attack, the second in the same place in three months, ended with the army regaining control over the site after dozens of militants and eight soldiers were killed.

The site, located on the outskirts of the village of Ras Baalbek in the northern Bekaa, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the town of Baalbek, was reinforced with additional units arrived after it became apparent that the militants aimed to attack the Christian-majority villages there. The move was part of IS’ plan to take over the lands surrounding Arsal, connect them to the town of Arsal then to the rest of the Christian towns of the northern Bekaa, reaching Danniyeh and Akkar in the north.

After the attempt failed, the armed groups turned their attention to taking control over the largest area possible and impose their conditions on the Lebanese government.

Well-informed security sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the available intelligence revealed that the main goal was to kidnap more soldiers to add to those in captivity since the Aug. 2 battle in Arsal. IS hopes to strengthen its position in the negotiations to release the kidnapped soldiers, as well as build pressure on the Lebanese government.