On Friday, American Ambassador Dorothy Shia joined Army Commander General Joseph Aoun in Ras Baalbek to celebrate the completion of mine removal in the regions of Arsal and Ras Baalbek. Ambassador Shia reviewed the progress made since the defeat of ISIS and al-Nusra Front in the area in 2017. The U.S. Embassy stated that "the United States has provided over $5.9 million in assistance to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) for the removal of improvised explosive devices and landmines left by terrorist groups when the Lebanese Army successfully expelled them from Arsal during the 'Fajr al-Jroud' operation."
After the removal of 219 explosive devices and the cleaning of 2.9 million square meters of land, the Lebanese Army's Mine Action Center officially announced that the area is free from explosive remnants of war. Ambassador Shia said, "Whether in Mount Lebanon, Akkar, Bekaa, Shouf, or in Arsal and Ras Baalbek, we are committed to ensuring the safety of civilians and returning previously mined lands to productive use."
