Nusra Releases Video of Execution of Captive Soldier Hamiyeh
The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front released on Saturday the video of the execution of captive soldier Mohammed Hamiyeh after conflicting reports had emerged over his death.
The video showed Hamiyeh being executed by a shot to the head, reported Turkey's Anatolia news agency.
A soldier nearby, identified as Ali al-Bazzal, was shown pleading to his family to mobilize otherwise he too will be executed.
The group said on Friday that it had executed Hamiyeh, describing him as the “victim of the Lebanese army's intransigence.”
Earlier on Saturday, al-Nusra Front sources told LBCI television that they demand the release of 15 Roumieh prison inmates in return for the soldier's corpse.
A number of Lebanese soldiers and policemen were abducted during deadly clashes in early August between the army and Nusra and Islamic State gunmen in and around the northeastern town of Arsal.
Nineteen troops were killed in the fighting as 35 soldiers and policemen were taken hostage. The Front later released seven security personnel who were in its custody, while the IS has executed two army troops.
Hamiyeh's father Maarouf said in light of his son's execution: “The government is responsible for the slaughter of our children.”
“The government is executing one soldier after the other,” he added after earlier accusing the state of adopting a “slow pace” in negotiating the release of the captives.
He also urged people against retaliating to the execution by assaulting Syrians in Lebanon.
He had earlier held the municipal chief of Arsal Ali al-Hujeiri, Sheikh Mustafa al-Hujeiri, “and all members of the Hujeiri family” responsible for any harm that may befall Mohammed Hamiyeh.
Meanwhile, Bazzail's father stated: “We have no government.”
“Each clan is a government unto itself and we will take our rights,” he stressed.
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