The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On 7 August 2026, unidentified individuals in a black BMW abducted a girl (born in 2007, Palestinian) from her workplace in the Hilaliyeh area of Sidon and fled to an unknown destination. A video showing the abduction circulated on social media, causing fear in the area. Her father (born in 1978, Palestinian) filed a complaint against unknown persons for the abduction of his daughter. The specialized units of the Information Branch immediately launched field and intelligence operations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the abduction and identify those involved. As a result of their inquiries and investigations, they were able, within a short period of time, to identify the two abductors as: M. S. (born in 2006, Lebanese); A. A. (born in 2003, Syrian). On the same date, following meticulous surveillance and monitoring, Information Branch patrols arrested both suspects in less than 24 hours in a simultaneous operation carried out in the Hilaliyeh and Majdelyoun areas. One of the patrols found the abducted girl in the Sidon area after the two abductors had released her. During questioning, the first suspect admitted to the charges against him, including taking part in the abduction with the second suspect because the girl had refused to enter into a relationship with him. He stated that he had taken her to a house in the town of Ansar, and later released her and returned her to Sidon after news of the abduction spread and the Internal Security Forces began taking action. The second suspect also admitted to the charges against him. The necessary legal measures were taken against both suspects, and they were handed over to the relevant authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.

17/8/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has begun rehabilitation works on the damaged retaining walls along the Bikfaya–Dhour Choueir main road. The works will continue until 29 August 2026. The aforementioned road will be completely closed to traffic throughout the duration of the works. Traffic traveling from Bikfaya toward Dhour Choueir will be diverted via the Deir Mar Elias–Chouaya road, while traffic coming from the Metn Express Highway will be diverted via the Chalimar road, and vice versa. Accordingly, the Directorate General asks citizens and motorists using the aforementioned road to comply with the posted traffic signs and follow the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel in order to avoid congestion.

17/8/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat crimes of all kinds, the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit received a complaint filed by A. B. against an unknown person for forging property documents, using forged documents, and fraud. The detachment also received two reports, one from a notary public’s office in Jounieh and the other from a notary public’s office in the Bekaa, concerning documents suspected of being forged, including powers of attorney, a property title deed, and an identity card. As part of its inquiries and investigations, the aforementioned detachment took statements from several other complainants, who reported that S. A., in collaboration with J. J. Gh., had forged property documents belonging to the complainant. The two then mortgaged the property to several individuals with the intention of defrauding them and obtaining their money. During questioning, J. J. Gh., who had been arrested by the Mount Lebanon Information Branch, admitted to the allegations against him. He stated that S. A. had forged documents relating to several properties and that his own role had been limited to mortgaging them. As a result of inquiries, investigations, surveillance, and close monitoring, and following intensive security efforts, the whereabouts of the following individual were identified in coordination with the Special Group of the Judicial Police Unit: S. A. (born in 1975, Lebanese), who was arrested in a carefully planned ambush. He was the subject of two search and investigation notices and eight arrest and apprehension warrants for fraud, forgery, and other offenses. During questioning, he admitted to the allegations against him and acknowledged that, in collaboration with others, he had forged several documents, property deeds, powers of attorney, and identity cards in various areas. The properties were subsequently mortgaged in order to obtain sums of money through these fraudulent schemes. All those involved, who had divided the roles among themselves in carrying out these fraudulent operations, were arrested pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.

17/8/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A large number of citizens are receiving SMS messages on their mobile phones from senders falsely claiming that the messages were issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces. The messages claim that the recipient has incurred a traffic violation for exceeding the permitted speed limit, and include a violation number, the date of the alleged violation, and a reference to the traffic law currently in force. The messages also contain an online link through which recipients are asked to pay the purported fine. Accordingly, the Directorate General urges anyone who receives such messages not to click on the link or enter any personal or banking information through it, as doing so could expose their bank accounts and cards to the risk of data and financial theft.

17/8/2026