General Security Arrests Syrian Nusra Members Linked to Arsal Servicemen Executions

The General Security announced on Tuesday the arrest of five Syrian members of the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front group, one of whom is linked to the execution of soldiers kidnapped by the group and the Islamic State in 2014.

They confessed after interrogation to forming a terror cell aimed at carrying out bombings through booby-trapped cars.

One of the detainees, identified as H.M., is religious al-Nusra leader in the Arsal region in northeastern Lebanon and Syria's al-Qalamoun near the border.

He headed an armed group that took part in the Arsal battles against the army in August 2014.

The detainee used his religious role in al-Nusra Front to issue a fatwa, or blessing, to execute abducted soldiers Mohammed Hamieh and Ali Bazzal.

He shot the footage of Hamieh's execution, which was performed by Syrian Aa.L., who was arrested at a previous time.

The five detainees have since been referred to the concerned judiciary.

In August 2014, gunmen from al-Nusra Front and IS groups overran the town of Arsal, where they engaged in clashes with the army.

They soon withdrew from the area, but kidnapped with them a number of servicemen.

Four of the captives were executed, while the servicemen held by al-Nusra Front were released at different intervals.

The IS still holds the remaining captives.

M.T.

G.K.