In Lebanon, a mine blast killed three soldiers as they were heading to take part in an offensive against the Islamic State group along the border with Syria.<br/>' <br/>The army said,an armoured vehicle was hit by a landmine on the Al-Najsa road roundabout in Jurud Arsal at noon today, killing three soldiers and injuring one soldier seriously.The wounded soldier was evacuated to hospital. Lebanon's army began its operation in the Jurud Ras Baalbek and Jurud al-Qaa region early on Saturday, and has already recaptured two thirds of the territory in the area.'<br/><br/>Lebanon's battle against IS comes as the jihadist group faces assaults in both neighbouring Syria and Iraq, where the government early Sunday announced an offensive on the group's bastion of Tal Afar.<br/>'<br/>'''''<br/>