BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army has taken up positions in the Bekaa Valley towns of Al-Qaa and Ras Baalbeck, ahead of a potential battle with Daesh (ISIS), a security source told The Daily Star Thursday.

“The Army wants to know the exact fate of the nine missing soldiers,” the source said, adding, “if not, the Army will raid the Daesh posts and initiate an all-out battle.”

Militants belonging to Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – formerly known as the Nusra Front – briefly overran the northeast border town of Arsal in August 2014, capturing more than 30 soldiers and policemen.

Most of those taken have since been released, but the extremists reportedly killed several of them and nine Army personnel are still missing, presumed to remain in captivity.

Hezbollah and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham have been engaged in a nearly weeklong battle on the outskirts of Arsal, following a speech from Hezbollah’s leader on July 11, which said the militants in the area pose a threat to the safety of Lebanon.

Throughout the clashes, the Lebanese Army has taken a mostly defensive stance preventing any militants, fleeing Hezbollah attacks, from entering Arsal or other surrounding towns. The militants have tried to use refugee camps as hideouts since the outbreak of the Syrian war with the Army most recently raiding camps in north Lebanon.