Lebanon captures IS 'commander' and breaks up migrant-smuggling ring

Lebanese security forces have reportedly detained a top Islamic State group commander as he sought to cross into Syria, along with other militants suspected of plotting attacks in the country.
2 min read
23 October, 2015
Lebanese troops have cracked down on militants since war broke out in Syria [AFP]
On Thursday, Lebanese security forces arrested what local media said was a "prominent" Islamic State group leader, along with other militants suspected of planning terrorist attacks in the country.

The suspects are thought to be Palestinian nationals.

The suspected IS leader was reportedly trying to cross into Syria from north Lebanon. According to Lebanon's Daily Star, the main suspect previously visited IS' self-declared capital in Raqqa, where he discussed plans for attacks in Lebanon, to be staged by IS cells based in Palestinian refugee camps.

Their alleged plans include assassinating Lebanese and Palestinian politicians, and detonating car bombs in Beirut's southern suburbs during the Shia Muslim holy day of Ashoura.
     Alleged plans include assassinating Lebanese and Palestinian politicians, and detonating car bombs


Lebanese security forces have been cracking down on Islamist militants since the outbreak of the Syrian war more than four years ago.

Lebanon witnessed a wave of explosions in 2013 and 2014, claimed by IS and the Nusra Front, most targeting areas where Hizballah enjoys wide support. The jihadists claim the attacks are in retaliation to the Shia militant group's intervention in Syria alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

IS and other jihadist groups are entrenched along Lebanon's north-eastern border, where they have repeatedly fought battles with the Lebanese army and Hizballah.

Last week, Hizballah fought brief battles with IS fighters in northern Lebanon, killing five militants.

The army fought several days of deadly battles last year with insurgent groups including IS and the Nusra Front when they staged an incursion into the town of Arsal near the more than 300km border with Syria.

Migrant smuggling network broken


Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army has also detained a network of smugglers allegedly responsible for a boat of migrants recently seized off the southern coast of Lebanon, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The five-member network was arrested by army intelligence in Saidon, southern Lebanon, after the navy seized a boat carrying 36 migrants off the coast on Friday morning.

The army added that the small boat, which had a maximum carrying capacity of 10 people, was destined for Turkey.

Among the emigrants were 14 Palestinians from the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, 21 Palestinians from various refugee camps in Lebanon and one Lebanese citizen.

Lebanon hosts hundreds of thousands of Palestinian and Syrian refugees. There are increased reports of both refugees and citizens joining the migrant route to Europe from Lebanon, amid an ongoing refugee crisis in neighbouring Syria.

Last week, a Lebanese family died when a boat capsized in the Mediterranean.