Lebanon's army kills IS militant leader near border with Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Lebanon's army kills IS militant leader near border with Syria, 28 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576900739.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 28, 2016
Security officials in Lebanon say Lebanese military forces have killed a leader of Islamic State (IS) militants during an army operation in the country's mountainous border region with Syria.
The IS leader in the border region was named by security officials and Lebanon's National News Agency as Nayif al-Shaalaan.
State media said he also went by the name Abu Fawz.
Syria's war has exacerbated the rift between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims in neighboring Lebanon.
Lebanon's Hizballah – a Shi'ite militant group and political party – has sent thousands of fighters into Syria to fight alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
But Lebanese Sunnis and Syrian Sunni refugees in Lebanon support Syrian rebel forces.
Since 2014, there has been a sharp increase in terrorist attacks in Lebanon claimed by IS militants.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Lebanon's National News Agency
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
