ISIL Fighters Flee Arsal to Syria's Riqqa

Prominent leaders affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reportedly retreated from the northeastern border town of Arsal to Syria's Riqqa.

According to the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published on Thursday, ISIL's command decided to limit its presence in Arsal and its outskirts to 200 fighters and a single leader, spiritual judge Abou Balqis.

Informed sources told the daily that eight ISIL leaders and their groups withdrew to Riqqa, without clarifying the reasons behind the move.

However, the sources pointed out that ISIL became weak in the area along Lebanon's border.

In August, extremists from the ISIL and al-Nusra Front overran Arsal where they engaged in brief clashes with the army.

They withdrew from Arsal at the end of the fighting, but kidnapped a number of servicemen.

A few were released, four were executed, while the rest remain held.

The ISIL and al-Nusra Front want to exchange the captives with Islamist prisoners in Lebanon and Syria.

Meanwhile, concerned sources denied to Asharq al-Awsat that ISIL transferred the soldiers and policemen in its captivity to Riqqa.

The sources stressed that the hostages are held in a Syrian village near Arsal.

Last week, the relatives of the hostage men demanded the state to clarify media reports saying that ISIL transferred the soldiers and policemen in its captivity to Riqqa.

The families called on negotiators who are following up the case to bring them a new video for the servicemen within a week, warning of escalating their endeavors.

H.K.

G.K.