Arsal becomes ISIL Main Stronghold, Implementing Self-Rule

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reportedly warned a family residing in the northeastern border town of Arsal to leave the town as soon as possible or they will be executed.

According to As Safir newspaper published on Monday, the family of Ali Ezzedine, who was killed last week by ISIL militants, were compelled to depart their village after jihadists gave them several warnings since Friday, threatening to kill Ezzedine's parents, sister, wife and three kids.

Ezzedine was reportedly famed for opposing ISIL.

The relatives of the victim managed to avenge their cousin by murdering Syrian national Mohammed al-Rankousi (al-Tartousi), who belongs to the Islamic group.

However, the family of Ezzedine refused to let the family of Ali to leave their home.

As Safir newspaper said that this incident is not the first of its kind, however, security forces in the area are not moving to clamp down on ISIL's control over the residents of Arsal.

The daily said that a prominent ISIL security official, identified as Houssam Trad, detained Ahmed Qassem Wehbi from his residence in Arsal and locked him in a room in Wadi Atta “on charges of collaborating with the Lebanese army.”

Wehbi was expected to stand trial before ISIL's court in the area before fleeing his captors.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq had voiced concern recently that Arsal is “under occupation.”

On Sunday, the body of Younis al-Hujeiri , an Arsal resident, was found decapitated in the outskirts of the town, more than two months after he was abducted by militants.

The state-run National News Agency said the man was nabbed on January 19 from the Wadi Hmeid area, east of Arsal, at the hands of an armed group.

Arsal lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria and has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.

It currently hosts tens of thousands of Syrian refugees.

The Sunni-majority area was sympathetic to the uprising against Bashar Assad, when it kicked off in 2011.

Arsal has been the battlefront of the Lebanese army in its fight with jihadists since they crossed the border from Syria and overran the town in early August. The militants from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State kidnapped Lebanese servicemen during their withdrawal. Four of them have been executed.

Jihadists remain holed up in the mountainous region around Arsal.

H.K.

G.K.