Lebanese security forces have found six bodies “likely” to be troops abducted by the Islamic State group near the Syria-Lebanon border in 2014.
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said on Sunday that two more bodies are expected to be recovered after surrendered ISIS fighters led force who had surrendered led his agency and the Lebanese army to the remains. He said all the corpses had been found in Lebanese territory.
“This file has been closed with a dark chapter…and we have had unconfirmed information on the fate of the captive troops since mid-February 2015,” Ibrahim said. “In my name, and in the name of the Army Commander, I address a great salutation to the families of the troops over their resilience and patience and they should be proud of their sons.”
The Islamic State and the jihadists of Jabhat al-Nusra captured at least 30 Lebanese security personnel during fighting in Arsal in northeastern Lebanon in 2014. Four were executed, one died of injuries, and others were released, but the status of the remainder was unknown until this week.
Ibrahim did not explain the discrepancy between his reference to eight bodies and the figure of nine abducted personnel.
The Lebanese army, which launched an offensive more than a week ago against ISIS, declared a ceasefire for Sunday so the bodies could be recovered. Hezbollah also halted operations against the Islamic State across the border in southwest Syria.
Syria Daily, August 27: Lebanese Army Declares Ceasefire with Islamic State
The Lebanese military says the area held by ISIS units has been reduced from 120 square km to only 20 square km, while the Assad regime’s officers claim the Islamic State has been driven out of 200 square km in southwestern Syria.
