The Lebanese Armed Forces deployed between the towns of Siddiqin and Kafra in southern Lebanon prior to conducting an inspection operation in the valley between the two towns, according to Al Jadeed News in a post on X over the past hour ending at 6:16 p.m. UTC on December 18, 2025. This deployment occurs as the Lebanese Armed Forces prepares to begin disarming Hezbollah between the Litani and Awali rivers in the second phase of its disarmament plan, according to a Critical Threats report published December 17, 2025, and shared during the previous reporting period ending at 5:16 p.m. UTC. The preparations follow a scheduled meeting on Thursday in Paris between French, Saudi Arabian, and U.S. officials and the head of the Lebanese army to finalize a roadmap and mechanism for Hezbollah's disarmament by the end of 2025, as reported by Reuters and cited in updates earlier today.
