Army Arrests Syrian who Killed Soldier in Arsal's August Attack

The Lebanese army on Saturday announced arresting a Syrian man involved in the deadly jihadist assault on the Bekaa border town of Arsal in early August.

“Following surveillance and investigations, army forces in the Arsal region arrested Syrian national Saleh Mustafa Amer, who was wanted for brandishing an assault weapon in the city of Baalbek and threatening citizens,” the army said in a communique.

“During interrogation, he confessed to belonging to a terrorist group, taking part along with an armed group in attacking the army's al-Hosn post in August, and killing one of the soldiers,” the army added.

"Investigations are underway under the supervision of the relevant judicial authorities,” the military said.

As Safir newspaper reported earlier on Saturday that another detainee held by the Army Intelligence confessed during investigations to his role during the August clashes in Arsal.

Ibrahim Bohloq confessed that he belongs to the Islamic State jihadist group, adding that he killed Lebanese army Colonel Noureddine al-Jamal, As Safir added.

The fighting broke out in Arsal after the army arrested a prominent member of the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front in August.

Islamists from the IS and al-Nusra Front groups eventually overran the town and engaged in fierce clashes with the army, which resulted in the death of around 19 troops and dozens of militants.

A ceasefire was reached several days later with the militants, who agreed to withdraw from the town. They abducted with them however around 35 soldiers and policemen.

Three have since been executed, a few were released, while the rest remain held.

Y.R.