LOC22:14
19:14 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- The Combined Joint Task Force was not a party to any agreement between the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Syrian regime and the so-called Islamic State (IS), the coalition announced on Wednesday.
"Russian and pro-regime counter-IS words ring hollow when they cut deals with and allow terrorists to transit territory under their control," the coalition said in a statement.
Under the terms of an arrangement announced by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a televised speech on Monday, Hezbollah was to hand over 670 prisoners, including 308 members of IS, allowing them to cross the borders into Syria.
Media reports Wednesday said the coalition struck an IS convoy coming from territory in Syria to meet IS evacuees being transferred there under the deal.
In its statement Wednesday, the coalition said IS "is a global threat; relocating terrorists from one place to another for someone else to deal with is not a lasting solution. This is just further evidence of why coalition military action is necessary" to defeat IS in Syria.
The coalition statement said its forces cratered the road heading east between Hamaymah and Abul Kamal to prevent the further transport of IS fighters to the border area of Iraq and struck individual vehicles and fighters that were clearly identified as IS.
"In accordance with the law of armed conflict, the coalition will take action against IS whenever and wherever we are able to without harming civilians," the statement said. (end)
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