Members of a “terrorist cell” arrested in Beirut were plotting a day of attacks on the Shiite community in the Lebanese capital during Ashura religious events this weekend, security sources told The National.
The officials, involved in the investigations, said on Tuesday that the six-member cell, mostly Syrians, belonged to an unidentified extremist group that “may be” linked to ISIS.
The arrests come at a critical time for Lebanon, which is under pressure from the US to include Hezbollah’s disarmament in its official government agenda as soon as possible, Lebanese political sources claimed.
They told The National that Washington is also seeking to link the future of Lebanon and Syria’s relations with Israel, pushing for a form of truce that would fall short of full normalisation, something that could be pursued in the near future.
Lebanon's General Security Directorate first announced the arrests on Monday, saying it had detained a terrorist cell in Beirut that sought to carry out attacks in several areas in the Lebanese capital.
It said that the cell was linked to extremist organisations and planned to launch synchronised attacks. The members had been monitored for several weeks.
“They planned to strike Ashura gatherings across multiple sites in Beirut, aiming to trigger a national shock similar to the one caused by Israel’s pager attacks on Hezbollah and the Shiite community last year,” one security official said on Tuesday.
“They were planning to attack large gatherings of Shiites during Ashura this weekend,” another security source confirmed. “This is terrifying. Lebanon is highly exposed in terms of security and entering a dangerous phase,” claimed the source.
Israel confirmed last year that it carried out the pager and walkie-talkie attacks in Lebanon in September. The simultaneous explosions represented a massive escalation in the conflict with the Lebanese militant group that had been continuing since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
For Shiite Muslims, Ashura marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein bin Ali, the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, along with his family members and loyalists.
Lebanon, a multi-faith country, has previously experienced attacks during religious events by extremist groups and armed militias.
Some political observers suggested that while the reported “terrorist activities” are real, the timing of the announcements may be tied to efforts by certain Lebanese parties to delay the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament, arguing that the current security climate makes it an inopportune moment.
More arrests expected
On Monday, before the arrests' announcement, a security official in Beirut told The National that Lebanon feared possible attacks by extremist groups following the deadly bombing in neighbouring Syria, where a suicide bomber killed at least 25 people at a Damascus church last month. Syrian authorities blamed ISIS for the attack.
The Lebanese army announced last week the arrest of the suspected leader of ISIS in Lebanon, accusing him of planning attacks.
The man, identified as RF and also known by the alias Qasoura, was captured after a series of surveillance and intelligence efforts by the military’s Intelligence Directorate. Weapons, ammunition and drone-making equipment were seized during the raid, the army said.
“He was educated, a schoolteacher of chemistry with experience in telecommunications and surveillance,” a security source told The National.
The army described him as a “prominent leader of the terrorist organisation Daesh” and said he had assumed control of the group’s Lebanon branch following the arrests of several senior figures in December, including his predecessor, known as Abu Saeed Al Shami.
According to the security sources, the man's arrest led to the foiling of the cell's plot.
“All of Lebanon’s security branches are now focused on this case, and more arrests are expected soon,” another security source said.
Authorities fear that dormant ISIS and other extremist cells in Lebanon could now be activated in retaliation or as part of a wider plan to destabilise the country amid renewed instability in neighbouring Syria.
Although largely driven underground after a major military defeat in 2017, ISIS and other extremist groups have fought bloody battles with the Lebanese army in the past and carried out bombings against Hezbollah and its supporters.
Now, with Syria’s political landscape shifting after the collapse of the Assad regime last year, Lebanese officials warn that the threat is far from over.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Biog:
Age: 34
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite sport: anything extreme
Favourite person: Muhammad Ali
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
Result
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
