The Islamic State on Lebanon's Doorstep
Ever since Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced the creation of the “Islamic State,” the organization has had its eye on territorial expansion beyond established strongholds in Iraq and Syria. In the past month alone, ISIS provoked Jordan into conflict by killing a Jordanian pilot and forced Egypt into retaliatory air strikes following the execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. Now, it appears that the organization has turned its gaze to Lebanon, with reports indicating that it may have plans to declare an Islamic emirate in the country. ISIS fighters have begun preparations to set up a military organizational committee in Lebanon, though they have yet to designate a commander for the mission.
The fighters are demanding support from the northern Syrian faction in order to extend the group’s geographical reach into Lebanon. Khalaf al-Zeyabi Halous, a Syrian who was involved in the ISIS offensive to capture the Raqqa province in 2013, is allegedly playing a crucial role in the planning. However, many doubt the credibility and seriousness of these preparations, as major Islamic State backers have yet to sign off on this expansive operation in Lebanon.
Nevertheless, Lebanon has faced an increasing threat from ISIS. The group has been training new recruits from small rebel factions in the Qalamoun mountains on the Lebanese-Syrian border. It is estimated that 3,000 fighters from both the Islamic State and the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra Front are active in the area. As Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon’s Directorate of General Security, explained to Reuters, “Islamic State does not want to dominate Qalamoun ... but they want to use it to secure their backs in the region through controlling [Lebanese] villages in contact with the Qalamoun area.” He stressed that Lebanese forces are on high alert to prevent militants from gaining any ground.
Earlier this month, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon announced that the United States provided the Lebanese army with $25 million worth of weapons and ammunition “of all shapes and sizes, including heavy artillery.” American aid to Lebanon has greatly increased since August, when militants conducted a major attack on the border town of Arsal. Ambassador David Hale stated that the new equipment will be used in “the battle to defeat terrorism and extremism that is pouring across the border from Syria.” France is also scheduled to begin delivering weapons purchased with a $3 billion Saudi grant to the Lebanese military in the next couple months.
“We are determined that Daesh [ISIS] does not reach one village. They should not even be one meter inside Lebanese territory,” said a senior Lebanese army officer.