Lebanese Army Detains IS 'Emir' and other Terrorists in Arsal Outskirts

A special military operation carried out by the Lebanese army in the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal resulted in the killing of the so-called “legitimate Emir of Syria's Islamic State group”, a terrorist who have decreed the slaughter of Lebanese soldiers, the National News Agency reported on Saturday

The so-called legitimate Emir identified as Alaa al-Halabi, aka al-Mlais, hails from the Syrian town of Qara, said NNA.

The Lebanese army carried out a thorough security plan at dawn on Saturday on the outskirts Arsal and arrested ten suspects believed to be dangerous terrorists, the Army Command-Orientation Directorate said in a statement.

The army's security operation plan took place in Wadi al-Hosn area, it said.

The troops arrested ten dangerous terrorists, and no causalities or wounded were recorded among the army's ranks, added the statement.

VDL (93.3) reported that one militant was killed and three suspects from al-Fleiti family were arrested together with others. Wael al-Fleiti, one of the most dangerous fugitives, was among the detainees. He is involved in smuggling arms and ammunition into the town.

Among the captives are Syrian nationals Alaa al-Halabi, Fawzi al-Sahli and Ahmed Niman, added VDL.

A security source told the station that one of the Islamic State group's leaders was killed in the military operation and that he had ordered the killing of Lebanese soldiers.

Among the detainees are arms dealers and members of a smuggling networks who work in favor of terrorist groups, it added.

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

Lebanon is sharply divided over the war in Syria and Arsal is a particular flashpoint as refugees from the uprising and fighters and smugglers hostile to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad traverse the border.