ISIS Head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's Wife, Child Detained in Lebanon, Near Syria Border
The wife and child of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi have reportedly been detained by Lebanese security forces near its border with Syria.
BBC News reported on Tuesday that Baghdadi's family entered Lebanon 10 days ago, and were recently picked up by military intelligence. The ISIS leader's wife, a Syrian citizen who wasn't named, is being questioned by the defense ministry, according to al-Safir newspaper.
There have been conflicting reports surrounding the gender of the child – while BBC has said it is Baghdadi's son, a senior Lebanese security official said it is Baghdadi's daughter.
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Reuters added that the arrest is a 'blow' to Baghdadi, and could be used as a bargaining tool against the terror group.
Baghdadi is believed to have three wives, two Iraqi citizens beside the Syrian one.
"The Lebanese authorities now face the delicate question of what to do with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's wife and offspring," said BBC analyst Jim Muir from Beirut.
"In theory, they could prove a useful bargaining chip in the highly-charged imbroglio surrounding the fate of more than 20 Lebanese Army soldiers held hostage since August by IS and the rival al-Qaeda-linked militant group, al-Nusra Front," he added.
"The militants are demanding the release of Islamist prisoners in Lebanese jails to spare the soldiers' lives - three have already been murdered."
ISIS, or the Islamic State as the group is also known, has been waging a war on the governments of Iraq and Syria since the summer, and has captured a number of cities across the region. Led by Baghdadi, the jihadists have sought to establish an Islamic caliphate and impose Sharia law on the people. They have also heavily targeted religious minorities, including Christians.
A U.S.-led coalition has hit back against ISIS and has launched airstrikes on several terror targets throughout Iraq and Syria.
Earlier in November, information came out suggesting that Baghdadi was killed in an airstrike on a convoy of militants in Iraq, but the reports proved to be false.
Baghdadi posted a new audio message following the airstrikes, vowing that Islamic militants will "not stop fighting" against the U.S. and its allies.
"Even if only one soldier of them remained, they will never abandon fighting, because they defy humiliation and injustice," the ISIS leader said in the 17-minute audio recording. "They will never abandon fighting, because they did not taste honor and dignity except by fighting. They will never abandon fighting. Indeed, they are triumphant. They will be triumphant even if only one man of them is left. They are triumphant and upon certainty of Allah's support for them."
