From family theft to Isis a network exposed between Lebanon and Syria

As Lebanon and Syria strengthen ties, security agencies in both countries are confronting one of their most sensitive shared threats: ISIS.

Lebanese authorities arrested a young man accused of stealing nearly USD 400,000 from his father and transferring the money to an ISIS-linked network operating across Lebanon and Syria.

Investigators say the cell includes three people, one of whom is already detained in Tripoli’s Qobbeh prison and allegedly coordinates with the group inside Syria. The other two are believed to have fled across the border.

The arrest came as Syrian authorities announced separate ISIS-related operations in Aleppo, Al-Bab, and Latakia.

Though the group has lost its former territory, active cells remain in Syria’s desert and continue to carry out sporadic attacks.