Lebanon: Security raids likely in coming days July 14

Event

Lebanese security services are expected to conduct continuing counterterrorism raids across Lebanon over the weekend of July 14-16 and beyond, particularly in the Bekaa valley. The United Kingdom issued a travel warning on Friday, July 14, warning its citizens to exercise extreme caution around security operations.

Context

The Lebanese army arrested 350 suspected militants during raids on two Syrian refugee camps in the northeastern border town of Arsal on June 30. Among those arrested are alleged members of an Islamic State (IS) related terror cell. Militants in the camps threw grenades at the soldiers and five suicide bombers detonated their explosives during the raids, injuring a total of seven soldiers and killing one child.

The raids were reportedly part of a security sweep of the area after the army received intelligence reports that militants were preparing to carry out a series of attacks inside Lebanon.

Lebanon's security environment is closely tied to the situation in neighboring Syria, notably due to the involvement of the Lebanon-based Shi'a group Hezbollah in the Syrian civil war. Terrorist attacks have occurred periodically in Lebanon in recent months, usually targeting security forces or isolated villages in the Beqaa Valley, such as Arsal, Ras Baalbek, and Qaa.

Advice

Due to the threat of terrorism, some Western governments advise their nationals against travel to the city of Tripoli, as well as Beirut's southern districts, southern Lebanon, and the country's eastern regions (including Baalbek, Hermel, Majdel, and Rachaiya). If a security operation is in progress, individuals are advised to leave the area immediately and follow instructions from authorities.