Up to 32 Lebanese youths are preparing to carry out suicide attacks inside Lebanon. The security services are tracking down around 200 suspects who might have links to al-Nusra Front (ANF) and the “Islamic State” (IS), after the two groups decided to resume attacks in the country. Once again, Lebanon is vulnerable to devastating suicide attacks.
Suicide bombers Bilal Mohammed al-Mariyan and Taha Samir al-Khayal have reignited the spark of suicide attacks in Lebanon. According to security reports, Lebanon is now once again caught in the crucible of suicide bombings, and many security sources fear the country may be entering a dangerous phase. Jihadis are also talking about a heated next phase. This means that the suicide bombers that struck Jabal Mohsen will not be the last, but rather, they may be the opening salvo, or the “first rain,” according to an ANF source in Lebanon.
Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq had announced that the bombers were affiliated to the IS, based on security reports linking them to Munther al-Hassan, a man suspected of distributing explosive vests. Hassan was killed during a raid by the Information Branch in Tripoli. However, the IS has not claimed responsibility for the attack. Furthermore, the ANF source says the two men had pledged allegiance to ANF nearly a year ago. The source said, “Khayal comes from a non-religious family. His father is an informant for Lebanese security services.”