Two IS Militants with Ties to Senior Group Leaders Arrested

The Internal Security Forces on Tuesday announced the arrest of two Lebanese men who had formed a cell linked to the terrorist Islamic State group.

An ISF statement identified the two men as 53-year-old R. S. and 43-year-old A. K., saying they were arrested by the ISF Intelligence Branch on Thursday.

During interrogation, R. S. confessed to endorsing and promoting IS' ideology and that he had tried to convince several young men to join the group.

“Around two years ago, he left for Syria's Raqa where he joined the IS group and underwent religious and military courses. He also confessed to working with the group in several fields, especially logistics,” the ISF said.

“He had close ties with several prominent leaders of the group in Syria and Lebanon and he accompanied the five-member family of one of the most prominent leaders of the group in Lebanon to Raqa via Turkey,” the statement added.

The other militant meanwhile confessed to “operating in a very professional manner to fend off suspicions seeing as his activities involved meeting the logistical needs of the Lebanese IS militants who are present in Syria.”

“He was in contact with the most prominent Syria-based Lebanese leaders of the group. He also coordinated with IS leaders in Raqa and linked them to the aforementioned detained militant, R. S.,” the ISF said.

He also facilitated the travel of R.S. and the family of an IS leader to Raqa, the ISF added.

The two detainees have been referred to the Military Court.