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.
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