The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is in full retreat as the intensifying campaign to dismantle and defeat the terrorist organization came to fruition in the last six months. Although greatly diminished, ISIS is far from destroyed and remains capable of carrying out terrorist attacks aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions and proliferating instability across the Middle East.

Lebanon is particularly vulnerable to ISIS incursions. The country, which shares northern and eastern borders with Syria, is beset by long-simmering sectarian tensions that are compounded by a fragile government, weak economy, and more than one million Syrian refugees. Given its position in the regional security matrix, advisory teams have been working closely to improve the capacity of their LAF counterparts.

LAF carrying out an anti-ISIS raid (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

The LAF unit that is the recipient of SoA support plays a central role in countering ISIS encroachment into Lebanon. Over the last year, this unit in particular carried out numerous successful raids against ISIS facilities and personnel. As the pace of their operations increases, they require additional capacity to plan and execute missions.

Recently, a US element that is partnered with this LAF unit in Lebanon identified an urgent need to SoA: a planning facility being set up by this unit’s command was in need of computers, monitors, printers, hard drives, and other communications devices essential for proper mission planning and execution.

SoA has committed to filling these gaps to assist the US mission in Lebanon. Help us improve the capacity of the LAF and support US efforts to counter ISIS in Lebanon.