Screenshot from a video that was circulating on social media on Tuesday evening, showing the withdrawal of the Lebanese Army from the villages of Rmeish and Ain Ibl, in southern Lebanon.
The municipality of Ain Ibl in southern Lebanon, a village from which the Lebanese Army withdrew on Tuesday, denied on Friday reports that a request had been made to evacuate the area.
“Reports are circulating regarding a request to evacuate Ain Ibl, which is false. The only measure being considered, as a precaution, is the relocation of residents from the northern part of the village to the southern part for security reasons, and not a departure from Ain Ibl” the municipality clarified in a statement. “We are staying on our land and holding firm,” the statement added.
A resident of Ain Ibl, who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons, also told our publication that “what is being posted on social media is false.” “There has been an order to evacuate only a few houses on the northern side of the village. Only a few cars are preparing to leave the village, including some carrying pregnant women. The rest of the residents will not be leaving,” he emphasized.
The Lebanese Army withdrew on Tuesday from several border towns in southern Lebanon, notably Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibl, and Qlaya. The following day, it stated that it was keeping soldiers in these villages and denounced the criticism directed at it. Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar stated on Wednesday that members of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) are still present in the border villages.
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