Despite the significant responsibilities placed on the Lebanese Army, from border control to domestic security, it continues its fight against terrorism and active and dormant cells. The Intelligence Directorate recently achieved a noteworthy proactive security success, sparing the northern region and Lebanon from significant threats.
According to special information from "Al-Anba," the Intelligence Directorate was monitoring dormant cells linked to terrorist organizations and, after receiving intelligence about suspicious activities in the areas of Jabal Badawi and Wadi al-Nahla, arrested a group of individuals in stages. Investigations revealed that these individuals were preparing and training to use weapons, particularly AK-47 rifles, with the intent to target commercial establishments and to attempt the assassination of Brigadier General Abdul Nasser Ahmed al-Ghamrawi, the head of the Central Prison Company in the Internal Security Forces.
The information indicates that the arrested individual (M.R) had a friendship with (A.S) since childhood and would accompany him to Al-Huda Mosque, where they discussed the ideology of ISIS. Over time, he became convinced of the organization’s ideology and started following their releases online. He downloaded their propaganda songs on his mobile phone multiple times. Approximately two years ago, before (A.S) traveled to Syria, he persuaded the detainee to adopt a principle of theft, proposing they rob the Norwegian Refugee Council's youth training center in Jabal Badawi, though they could not execute the plan at that time.
About seven months ago, the detainee began associating with others and discussing ISIS. It was revealed that the terrorist group planned several operations, specifically five months ago when (K) expressed anger at seeing women’s clothing in Jabal Badawi, considering it forbidden. He discussed the idea of shooting at a store with (Y.S), who agreed. They intended to carry this out on a motorcycle, with (K) using his AK-47 to fire nine bullets at the store.
About a month ago, (K) independently fired shots from his motorcycle at a barber shop owned by a Syrian named Saif al-Din Taleb, believing that cutting hair was forbidden. Two weeks ago, (K) surveyed Brigadier General al-Ghamrawi’s home intending to shoot at his convoy due to his role in Lebanese security and managing Islamic prisoners.
The group’s proposal involved stealing a motorcycle from someone and selling it for $350 in the Badawi camp, sharing the profit. They also stole a relative's motorcycle but had to return it days later after being discovered. About two months ago, they stole from the Norwegian Refugee Council's youth training center in Badawi.
As for the planned terrorist operations, they included an attack on a checkpoint of the 12th Infantry Brigade. During Ramadan, (K) took a picture of the checkpoint to target it, intending to steal weapons and ammunition from the military personnel, and sent it to (A.M) via Messenger to carry out the operation together. However, (A) hesitated due to military precautions and fear of failure.
The investigation into these individuals’ ties to ISIS leaders outside Lebanon is ongoing, with connections to detainees in Roumieh Prison. Efforts continue to determine whether they are being managed from inside the prison or by other entities on Lebanese soil. The two motorcycles used to shoot at al-Ghamrawi’s vehicles, as well as the two AK-47 rifles used by the group, have been seized, according to "Al-Anba" Kuwait.
