Lebanese army nabs 2 top ISIL commanders in Arsal

A special unit from the Lebanese army's intelligence branch last week captured two "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) leaders following a shootout in Wadi Ata near the northern border town of Arsal.

The operation took place on August 4th in the vicinity of Arsal secondary school, Sky News TV field reporter Salman Andary told Al-Mashareq, describing the two men as "ISIL masterminds".

They were Sameh al-Breidi, also known as Sameh al-Sultan, who later died of his wounds, and Tariq al-Fliti, each of whom were wanted by the authorities on terrorism charges.

The army also arrested two Syrian nationals during the same operation.

The counter-terrorism raid was the result of surveillance and monitoring, and coincided with the two-year anniversary of the deadly incursion into Arsal by ISIL and the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front (ANF).

The operation came amid rumours that ISIL had issued a "hit list" targeting prominent local figures and brought relief to town residents.

Top ISIL operatives

Al-Fliti and al-Breidi were the top ISIL commanders in Lebanon, Andary said.

Each had carried out a number of attacks against the Lebanese army and Arsal residents, he added, including the recent attempted assassination of mayor Muhammad Alouli.

The two men also are accused of rigging and transporting car bombs into Lebanon, he said, as well as directing ISIL attacks, executions and assassinations of local residents and security personnel, including the killing of Maj. Pierre Machaalani and Sgt. Ibrahim Zahraman in February 2013 in Arsal.

They are accused of threatening the security of Arsal and being involved in the kidnapping of security forces personnel on August 2, 2014, he added.

The August 4th operation coincided with second anniversary of the Arsal clashes, known as the "Arsal raid", Andary said.

"Since the Arsal raid, the army has been pursuing the organised networks that plan terror acts in a number of areas," he said.

Following the operation, the army put all its units in the northern Bekaa Valley and border areas on alert in anticipation of possible retaliation, he said, "and continues on an almost daily basis to shell militants on the outskirts of Arsal and Baalbek with heavy artillery to keep the armed groups on the border in check".

In recent months, he said, the army has dismantled a large number of terror networks and foiled operations across Lebanon through confessions obtained from detainees about ISIL’s intention to launch attacks that undermine stability.

"The army will not hesitate to break and combat terrorism by any means possible, to protect the security of the Lebanese from any potential attack or threat," he said.

Arsal residents express relief

Arsal residents are relieved by the recent arrests, municipal council member Mohammed al-Hujairi told Al-Mashareq.

"The operation and arrests created a great sense of relief among the town residents who have been living in daily fear of [the threat of] terrorist acts against them and other areas of Lebanon," he said.

As a result of information-gathering, surveillance and monitoring, security forces conducted a carefully planned raid from multiple directions, he said, with one unit approaching from the town and another from its outskirts.

The army’s actions have "put an end to the anomalous situation that existed in Arsal", al-Hujairi said, adding that town residents "support ending such situations and the pursuit of any outlaws".

"We want an end to the anxiety and fear that have been our daily companions, and the killing, theft and threats we are subjected to, the most recent of which was the hit list that included the names of municipal chief Bassel al-Hujairi and mayor Mohammed Alouli, who escaped an attempt on his life," he said.

As a result of the army's actions, the security situation in Arsal "is much better than before", he added.

The outcome of the August 4th raid is "very good, because it yielded the arrest by army intelligence personnel of individuals who have long records of terrorist acts", said Brig. Gen. Nizar Abdel Kader, a retired Lebanese military officer who is an expert on strategic and security affairs.

The crimes of al-Fliti and al-Breidi include "the killing of officers and soldiers and ordinary citizens", he said, telling Al-Mashareq that the two men "were among the first to form terrorist cells in Arsal".

Their capture "serves to assert that no one will escape punishment", he said, adding that the incident sends the message that there is rule of law that "reaches everyone, no matter how long it takes".

Information obtained from the detainees may also prevent future attacks from occurring, he added.