Lebanese Army Captures ‘Abou Taqiyeh’

Mustafa al-Hujairi also known as Abou Taqiyeh. NNA
Mustafa al-Hujairi also known as Abou Taqiyeh. NNA
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Lebanese Army Captures ‘Abou Taqiyeh’

Mustafa al-Hujairi also known as Abou Taqiyeh. NNA
Mustafa al-Hujairi also known as Abou Taqiyeh. NNA

The Lebanese army arrested on Wednesday Mustafa al-Hujairi who is suspected of involvement in the abduction of Lebanese servicemen by ISIS and al-Nusra Front militants when they briefly overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August 2014.

The military’s general command said that al-Hujairi, also known as Abou Taqiyeh, was captured by the army intelligence during a dawn raid in Arsal.

The suspect is being questioned by the relevant authorities, the army communique said.

In September, the army sought Hujairi’s arrest following confessions by his detained son, Obada, about his father's involvement in the 2014 hostage-taking of around 30 Lebanese soldiers and policemen.



Starmer: Britain Moving Jets to Middle East to Support Regional Security

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Starmer: Britain Moving Jets to Middle East to Support Regional Security

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Britain is moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Saturday as he was en route to a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.

Iran and Israel traded missiles and airstrikes on Saturday, the day after Israel launched an air offensive against its old enemy, killing commanders and scientists and bombing nuclear sites in a stated bid to stop it building an atomic weapon.

"We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region," Starmer said.

Britain already has fighter jets in the Middle East as part of an operation to counter threats in Iraq and Syria.

Crews began deployment preparations on Friday morning, when it was clear the situation in the region was deteriorating, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.

Further refueling aircraft from British bases have been deployed, and additional fighter jets will be sent, the spokesperson added.

Iran warned the United States, United Kingdom and France that their bases and ships in the region will be targeted if they help stop Tehran's strikes on Israel, Iran state media reported Saturday.