Intelligence Chief: This is How Militants Ambushed LA’s Convoy in Arsal

Local Editor

The Intelligence chief of the Lebanese Army, Brigadier General Edmond Fadel, stressed Tuesday that "the plan of response against the recent attack on the LA is being prepared based on the circumstances."

In remarks to al-Akhbar Lebanese daily, Fadel vowed that "the LA will arrest all those involved in the killing of the martyrs."
"The army does not take revenge. Those involved in the attack believe that targeting the LA is easy, but we do not forget. All those involved will be prosecuted," the military official confirmed.

On the details of the incident, the Brigadier General highlighted that " the LA's convoy consisted of two cars, that belong to the Directorate of Intelligence. It was composed of ten members, including two officers dressed in civilian clothes and eight elements in their military suits."
He further clarified that the LA gripped the car of the wanted, Khalid Hamid, near his house on Arsal's outskirts.
"The man was too dangerous and professional," Fadel said, and pointed out that "He also had experience in criminal acts."

In parallel, he mentioned that "as a qualitative goal, he could have affected the Lebanese state's prestige and stability."
"Hamid used to work with al-Nusra extremist Front in Syria and played a major role in the kidnap of the seven Estonians in Lebanon," the Intelligence chief said, and noted that "he was part of the attack on Internal Security Forces post near the Syrian border, in November."

Meanwhile, Fadel went on to say: "Hamid, in his forties, fired four bullets from his pistol on the LA's patrol, prompting the soldiers to respond."
"Thus, he was arrested injured ahead of being transferred via a bypass road, to avoid entering into Arsal," he unveiled.

However, the snow and bad weather hampered the LA's convoy progress.
 
According to the Brigadier General, before an hour passed; the convoy fell into an ambush, in which some 80 militants participated in the attack on the LA. Later, all militants transferred the wounded soldiers to the municipal building, where they hit them and celebrated the death of two LA men by carrying their bodies.


Source: al-Akhbar Lebanese daily, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org