Arsal: Post Center for Smuggling Arms to Syria?!
Latifa al-Husseini
In a clear link to the Syrian crisis and atrocities of the Takfiri groups, the Lebanese Army booties of weapons, ammunition and shells continue. In response, the LA patrols continue to thwart smuggling of light and heavy weapons every now and then.
On Sunday, the army command announced that its soldiers intercepted a white "van" vehicle on its way to Arsal outskirts carrying 5 passengers of Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationalities, who were found to be in possession of "al-Nusra Front" uniforms.
The 5 detained were heading in the direction of Syrian territories.
Not far from Arsal, in Maqna, the army intelligence also arrested five people -two Syrians, a Lebanese and two Palestinians -who were carrying "suicide vests."
They were quickly transferred to the competent authorities, and were investigated under the supervision of the military judiciary.
Meanwhile, a senior security source linked between Arsal's arms shipment and the incident in Maqna.
In remarks to al-Ahed news, the source revealed that "the LA stopped at one of its checkpoints at al-Rayan Valley in Arsal a "pickup" car, led by Tariq Ahmed al-Bareidi [a Lebanese from Arsal].
"The man was arrested as he held bombs' detonators as well as electrical and electronic wires in addition to blowing machines and black bands," the source mentioned.
He further unveiled that "the preliminary investigations showed that al-Bareidi is linked to a Syrian group, working for the so-called "Free Syrian Army."
"He has no relation with any side in Ain al-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees," he added.
In parallel, the source highlighted that Arsal turned to a Post center that works to coordinate the storage and the smuggling of weapons to the Syrian territory .
Thus, he warned of the dangers and repercussions of what is happening in the region there.
This comes after a series of security incidents the Bekaa region has been witnessing at least since the end of 2012.
On the 3rd of December of last year, the LA troops battled with a group of militants in al-Qaa region.
Among of these was Bashar al-Amon from Arsal. He was wounded during the clashes and later admitted that he as well as three of his companions smuggled weapons to Syria with the help of mules.
On 20 March 2013, the military court revealed that a cell worked on providing explosive materials that were transferred from Ain al-Hilweh to the Syrian territory. The cell was headed by al-Qaeda Syria members, Suleiman D. and Sayf al-Din.
In early April, an army patrol stopped at Arsal countryside a supposed passenger bus. It was driven by two people. However, the passenger bus turned out to be loaded with medium weapons, RBJs and ammunitions.
Later, on April 7, the army detained six people in Ein Hzlta area while eight of them fled .. Confessions of those arrested pointed out that the militants' operation was not the first, and that large quantities of weapons were being smuggled to Syria via Arsal.
May 6, another date for the Lebanese army.. Its Intelligence suspended, after long and intensive investigation, the elements of a cell that possessed large quantities of explosive devices and detonators in Ain al-Remaneh.
Moreover, the two Lebanese Mohammed Bashir Musa and Saad Mohammed Musa were arrested on June 2, in the town of Ehden. They possessed shell launchers and military materiel on their way to Arsal.
All over the day and night, the army intelligence works hard to thwart any terrorist plot being prepared aimed to hit the stability in Lebanon, especially that the information and data indicate that the Takfiri and extremist groups will intensify their work in various areas under the banner of "jihad".
So, had Lebanon turned to a land of "jihad "after the Levant after the disappointing failures of the armed groups in face of the Syrian Arab army?
Source: Al-Ahed news
