The Military Court issued on Thursday arrest warrants against 17 Lebanese nationals on charges of belonging to the Islamic State terrorist group. Judge Fadi Sawan issued the arrest warrants against the suspects, six of whom are in custody. The charges include belonging to IS for the aim of carrying out terrorist activities, fighting the army in the northern city of Tripoli, murdering and the attempted murder of Lebanese army soldiers, and attempting to travel to Syria via Tripoli Port to fight alongside IS in the neighboring country. The accusations also include creating sectarian incitement. If convicted, the suspects could face the death penalty. Judge Sawan has since referred the case to the permanent military court.