A Pentagon spokesman confirmed that U.S. Special Forces would provide “training and support” for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
“I can confirm the presence of U.S. Special Forces in Lebanon,” Eric Pahon told the U.S.- based Arabic television network Al-Hurra.
Eric Pahon said that Lebanese troops were being assisted by U.S. Special Operations Forces ahead of a confrontation near the Syrian border with Daesh that is expected to break out within days.
The Pentagon spokesman said that the training “not only concentrates on operational type missions, but also tactical and strategic type missions. We also have a presence with Lebanese Special Forces in all aspects of training and special operations.”
Leader of Lebanon’s Shi’ite group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, offered support to the Lebanese army on Friday.
“We are at the service of the Lebanese army and under its command… if they ask for any help we will help,” he said on Friday in a televised speech.
Daesh will be attacked from the Lebanon side of the border by the Lebanese army, and Hezbollah will simultaneously attack Daesh from the Syrian side.
This could leave the U.S. forces that “support” the Lebanese army in a clash with Hezbollah.
Over the past decade, the Lebanese military has received over $1 billion in U.S. security assistance.
Although Pahon said that the U.S. Special Forces soldiers were carrying out training activities for the Lebanese army, it was previously reported that the U.S. Special Forces in Syria’s north coordinated with the PKK/PYD terrorist organization.
