Lebanon: two of Estonian tourist kidnappers dead

Lebanese internal security forces clashed with a group of men suspected to be involved in a series of kidnappings. The group is suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of seven Estonian tourists in march. The Estonian tourists were released in July. The clashed took place on Tuesday morning in West Bekaa, leading to the death of two of the kidnappers, and the injury of an officer from the information branch. Rumours have circulated that the kidnappers were preparing to undertake a new kidnapping operation. This is the third round of clashes between the group and Lebanese security forces in the past two weeks. It is believed that the same group attempted to a man from the Al-Hujairi family in Arsal, eastern Lebanon prior last week, and killed Rushdi Sabri, an officer from the information branch in Majdal Anjar months ago. The Lebanese Minister of Interior Affairs, Marwan Charbel, told Arabstoday that today’s operation was successful. The operation was complex, and followed a tip off. The information branch set a trap in Mahallat Fallujah on the main Rashia route in West Bekaa. Officers from the information branch set a metal trap and dressed as civilians, waiting on both sides of the road. The navy Jeep, carrying the suspected kidnappers, approached the trap with speed. The obstacles caused the driver to swerve and lose control of the car, before crashing into the side of the road. Armed clashes ensued, with the team leader, Khaled Elwan, injured along with another member of the forces. Two members of the group were also killed. Charbel said that the two killed were among the most dangerous men in the country. Charbel confirmed that the group was plotting its next attack. Charbel said that police will also speak with the negotiators who arranged the release of the Estonian tourists, hoping that they could provide them with key information for the case.