REPORT: LAF arrests prominent IS leader, 10 militants in Arsal

The Lebanese Armed Forces Intelligence Branch managed on Friday to arrest an Islamic State jihadist identified as Ahmad Youssef Amoun near a Syrian refugee encampment in Wadi al-Araneb in the border town of Arsal.

 

Amoun is suspected for his involvement in providing logistic assistance for the suicide attackers who were behind the al-Qaa bombings in June.

 

He was arrested after being critically injured, while one of his escorts was killed.

 

The prominent IS leader was transferred to a hospital on board of a military helicopter.

 

The army seized large amounts of weapons and explosive belts.

 

This as militants were seen fleeing after the army's raid towards the outskirts of Arsal.

 

LAF Commander Major General Jean Kahwagi briefed Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri over the operation during a phone call.

 

The town of Arsal was the location of a major attack by jihadists from Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front in 2014. Islamic State is still holding nine Lebanese soldiers kidnapped by the group during the attack.

 

 

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