Families of Servicemen Vow Escalation after al-Nusra Execution Threats

The families of the kidnapped servicemen on Monday blocked Riad al-Solh road in Beirut's downtown and promised escalation, after al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front renewed its threats to kill one of the hostages who are in its custody.

“The families of the servicemen resumed their sit-in in Riad al-Solh after al-Nusra published pictures reminding them of the captives file,” MTV reported.

The relatives had suspended the sit-in for several weeks to give the government a chance to hold confidential negotiations with the captors.

LBCI TV and al-Jadeed television also confirmed that members of the families blocked the road in Riad al-Solh.

Al-Nusra Front published Monday on its Twitter accounts pictures showing the kidnapped servicemen thrown on the snow with five guns aimed at their heads.

The phrase “Who will pay the price?” was written on the pictures. This line had been used in the past each time the Front sought to threaten the execution of one of the captives.

Al-Nusra took Monday's unprecedented operation by security forces in Roumieh prison as an excuse to threaten killing one of the hostages.

“As a result of the security deterioration in Lebanon, you will hear about surprises regarding the fate of the prisoners of war, so wait for us,” the Front threatened on Twitter.

It also published a picture in the afternoon, claiming that it is for injured Islamist prisoners in Roumieh during the the security operation.

“Who among our sons will pay the price, I ask the interior minister, who chose today's date for the Roumieh raids,” Hussein Youssef, a spokesman for the families, asked.

“The minister could have delayed the raid,” Youssef said from Riad al-Solh, calling on the kidnappers to “spare the servicemen because they have nothing to do with the raid.”

“If we notice that the situation is deteriorating, we will escalate our protests and we will let those who are putting obstacles pay the price, not us.”

Meanwhile, one the the captives' relatives stated that they have been “showing patience since six months.”

“Our problem is with the state, Prime Minister (Tammam) Salam and the 24 ministers. A brave stance must be taken because they are dealing with souls, not garbage,” he added, referring to the garbage crisis that was being discussed by cabinet during the same press conference.

“Our sons are suffering in the snow and no one is feeling our pain. We are dying and we cannot take it anymore,” he lamented.

The Lebanese policemen and soldiers were taken hostage during deadly clashes in and around Arsal in early August with al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group.

Sixteen policemen and soldiers are still being held by al-Nusra while nine are in the captivity of the IS.

Four hostages have been executed until the moment and the two groups have threatened further killings if Lebanese authorities do not fulfill their demands.

M.Y.

Y.R.