The Wanted Sheikh Sabbagh Group: The Most Powerful on Tripoli’s Ground

Local Editor

As-Safir Lebanese daily revealed that the person, whom the security forces keep an eye on and accuse him of being behind the attack on Lebanese minister Faisal Karami's convoy, is Sheikh Hussam Sabbagh.
The daily further mentioned that "Sabbagh's group is considered the strongest on the ground and is completely away of Tripoli MP's control."
"The latter seeks to expand his influence in various ways," the daily said, and noted that "in spite of the precautions he used in his movements, Sabbagh is under permanent security monitoring."
Meanwhile, information highlighted that "his presence is growing in Syria as he seeks to expand his role to outside the city."
According to as-Safir, several Salafist groups pledged Sabbagh allegiance. It is worth mentioning that he is wanted based on several arrest warrants by the Lebanese Army Intelligence, and the Interpol.

The most prominent of these groups, is the one belonging to the Saad al-Masri, the brother of the late Khoder al-Masri.
In parallel, Sabbagh enjoys a clear support from the leaders of the group that tried to initiate the so-called "Military Council for the Sunnis".

The sources also indicated that Sabbagh receives a very high budget from abroad, especially Australia. He allocates part of this money to recruit and send fighters to Syria, and the other part of monthly payments for elements under his command.
As it revealed that ground facts reveal some of the man's involvement in the Syrian crisis, the daily mentioned that Mahmoud Riad Mahmood [brother of Abu Jandal who was killed in the Bab al-Tabbaneh in 2007] whom Sabbagh had sent to Syria was killed there, particularly in Aleppo.

Similarly Sabbagh sent the Belgian of Moroccan origin, Nabil Qassemi, who joined the so-called Free Syrian Army via Sabbagh. In addition, Sabbagh is the planner and performer of a plan that seeks to eliminate Syria's allies from Tripoli's equation.

Moreover, the twins (R.Z.) and (S.Z.) , in addition to a third person named (B.S.), are mainly responsible for the man's personal safety. The three are wanted to the Lebanese judiciary.

Sabbagh is also known for holding meetings with Lebanese security officials in the North. The "Sheikh" uses an intelligence in his movements and meetings. He often appears on the ground when things blew up between Bab Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, to order his armed group to move.

Source: as-Safir daily, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org