Report: Blast Rocks IS Courthouse in Arsal

An explosion was heard at a building on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal overnight, media reports said on Saturday.

As Safir newspaper said that the blast targeted an Islamic courthouse affiliated with the Islamic State.

The building is located in Wadi Ata on the outskirts of Arsal.

No one was injured in the attack seeing as the courthouse is usually closed on Friday.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper meanwhile said that the blast was directed against an Islamic court dedicated to tackling personal affairs of Syrian refugees who had fled to Lebanon from 42 Syrian villages.

It described the courthouse as more of a garage than a proper building.

It stressed that the facility is not affiliated with the Islamic State or al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front group.

The blast was caused by two rocket attacks, added the daily.

The assailants have not been identified.

IS and Nusra militants briefly overran Arsal in early August. They abducted a number of troops and policemen as they withdrew from the town.

Ever since the Syrian revolt erupted in March 2011, Arsal has served as a key conduit for refugees, rebels and wounded people fleeing strife-torn Syria.

M.T.

D.A.