The Lebanese Army discovered three bodies Saturday of soldiers killed during intense fighting with jihadi militants the day before, a security source said.
More than 40 militants believed to be affiliated to Daesh were also discovered in the rugged outskirts of Ras Baalbek, most of whom were killed in Army airstrikes on a vehicle convoy, Lebanese The Daily Star newspaper reported.
The Army fought for more than 16 hours Friday, using heavy artillery and helicopter gunships to ward off a surprise attack by militants who briefly overran the Tallet al-Hamra military post in an early-morning ambush.
The military announced later in the day that it had taken control of the area as it pounded militant gatherings and roads they were using to retreat further into the outskirts.