Latest news with #InternalSecurityForces
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- General
- Shafaq News
Iran dismantles ISIS-linked operatives in Tehran
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iran arrested members of an ISIS-affiliated network in the capital, Tehran, according to the General Command of the Internal Security Forces Saeed Montazer-ol-Mahdi. Ol-Mahdi noted that the arrests were made following 'extensive and complex operations' in recent days by the counterterrorism unit across Tehran and the provinces of Isfahan, Qom, and Alborz, adding that the network was preparing to carry out sabotage and bombing attacks during recent public ceremonies. 'All members of the terrorist network were arrested during the operation, including 13 individuals—among them the ringleader, support teams, and suicide bombers. Explosive devices, including suicide vests, were also seized.' The command added that further details about the dismantled network would be disclosed in the coming days. Iran has also reported multiple foiled plots involving sabotage and suicide bombings. In January 2024, ISIS-K, the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for two bombings in Kerman that killed at least 95 people during a memorial for Qassem Soleimani. The attack was one of the deadliest in Iran in recent years. Earlier, in June 2017, a coordinated assault on the Iranian parliament and the Khomeini mausoleum left 17 people dead and marked the first major ISIS-claimed operation inside the country.
LBCI
11-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's President visits ISF operations room as second round of municipal elections kick off
President Joseph Aoun visited the Internal Security Forces (ISF) operations room on Sunday morning, as the second round of municipal and mukhtar elections got underway in the northern governorates of North Lebanon and Akkar. During the visit, he praised the performance of the security forces and expressed hope for a high voter turnout. "Municipal and mukhtar elections are about development, not politics," he said. He also urged residents of the north to "vote more actively and vote for a project, not just a person." Addressing reports of electoral bribery in Mount Lebanon, the president confirmed that the matter is being followed up judicially and that arrests have been made. "This is a message to both the international community and the Lebanese people that the Lebanese state is back on the right track," he concluded.
Al Manar
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
North Lebanon Heads to the Polls: Municipal Elections Underway
The municipal and mayoral elections began at 7:00 a.m. today in the North and Akkar governorates, amidst a calm atmosphere and tight security measures. Ballot boxes opened for voters to cast their ballots to elect their representatives in the municipal and mayoral councils. Lebanese president, General Joseph Aoun, arrived at the Internal Security Forces operations room to monitor the start of the second round of municipal and mayoral elections in the North and Akkar governorates. He said, 'We must commend the performance of the security forces and hope that the voter turnout will be high today. The municipal elections are developmental, not political. This is a message to both domestic and foreign audiences that the Lebanese state is back on the right track.' He added, 'The success of the municipal and mayoral elections will give a positive impression abroad of the state's determination to complete all constitutional requirements on time.' President Aoun praised 'the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and all security forces, as well as the Ministry of Justice's support for the completion of the first phase of the municipal and mayoral elections,' expressing his satisfaction with 'the preparedness today and in the next two phases in Beirut, the Bekaa, and the South.' President Aoun stressed 'the need to combat bribery and violations swiftly and decisively,' noting 'the role of the media in helping to expose the violations that occur.' For his part, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Hajjar announced from the ministry that 'the electoral process began smoothly and calmly in all polling stations, and minor issues were addressed.' He reiterated his call to 'citizens and stakeholders not to violate the laws and not to be lenient with any violations.' He also called on everyone to 'turn out to vote to exercise this democratic right after nine years of waiting.' He emphasized that 'there have been no security incidents so far, and I hope this day will be peaceful.' He noted that 'a case of bribery has been detected by the State Security Service and is being investigated under the supervision of the judiciary.' The Ministry of Interior announced that voter turnout in the North, as of 9:20 a.m., was 2.25% in Akkar, 0.57% in Tripoli, 2.06% in Zgharta, 1.39% in Bcharre, 1.80% in Minieh-Danniyeh, 2.10% in Koura, and 4.11% in Batroun. The Ministry also recorded 112 complaints, including 99 administrative complaints, 10 complaints via social media and the media, and 3 security complaints.
LBCI
28-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Mount Lebanon municipal elections: Preparations finalized with extensive security and technical measures
Report by Petra Abou Haidar, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi One week before the municipal and local elections in Mount Lebanon, authorities are bracing for potential technical or security issues at polling stations. To ensure smooth operations, multiple support centers have been set up to assist voters, polling staff, and election officials. At the Interior Ministry, two dedicated units are ready: a call center and an operations room, both accessible through the hotline 1766. The call center will be staffed by Internal Security Forces (ISF) personnel and UNDP-trained employees, who are equipped to address issues like delays in delivering ballot boxes, problems with voters' identification documents, or disruptions in electricity and communications at voting centers. If a technical issue cannot be resolved at the call center, it will be escalated to the ministry's operations room, which includes representatives from security agencies, judges delegated by the Justice Ministry, senior officials, and ministry employees. In case of security incidents, such as disputes or disturbances, matters will be transferred to the ISF's operations room for appropriate response. The Interior Ministry's operations room, located in the hall named after the late General Wissam al-Hassan, was inaugurated Monday by the Interior Minister alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. It is connected to a centralized dashboard that links with the ISF's operations center, which monitors the security situation and coordinates units across the country. On election day, the General Director of Internal Security will oversee operations alongside senior officers to ensure the proper distribution of ballot boxes, the orderly start of the voting process, and immediate response to any security breaches. More than 8,000 security personnel will be deployed under a detailed plan to safeguard the electoral process. The Interior Ministry will continuously update voter turnout rates electronically on the shared dashboard. Although preparations are advanced, vote counting will proceed manually as in previous elections. Results will be transmitted from the heads of polling centers to the Mount Lebanon governorate through district centers before being sent to the Interior Ministry and published on the dashboard. Meanwhile, the Mount Lebanon governorate and district centers are finalizing their own plans to manage complaints and issues on election day, with details to be announced once preparations are complete.
Shafaq News
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdish forces launch sweeping anti-ISIS operation in al-Hol camp
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Kurdish-led security forces launched a large-scale operation in Syria's al-Hol camp, aiming to dismantle ISIS sleeper cells, officials said. The campaign is being carried out by the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), supported by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women's Protection Units (YPJ). It follows what officials described as an uptick in ISIS-linked activity and attempts to exploit political and security instability across the region. Speaking at a press conference attended by Shafaq News, officials said the sweep is targeting areas in and around the camp in northeastern Syria's Hasakah province. Al-Hol is home to roughly 36,000 people, many of them women and children linked to former ISIS fighters. Authorities reported increased smuggling, recruitment, and threats against residents, as well as efforts to spread extremist ideology among the youth. Limited international support and the absence of a long-term strategy for detainees were also noted, with authorities warning that the situation could deteriorate further if left unaddressed. International agencies have also repeatedly warned that al-Hol provides 'fertile ground' for the resurgence of violent extremism, citing past incidents of violence and indoctrination within the camp.
