Lebanese Intelligence Unit
The Information Department (Arabic : شعبة المعلومات ), commonly known as the Information Branch (Arabic : فرع المعلومات ) or the Information (Arabic : المعلومات ), is the intelligence unit of the Internal Security Forces Directorate (Arabic : المديرية العامة لقوى الأمن الداخلي ). It is mainly tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national and military intelligence , counterintelligence ,[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] counterterrorism ,[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] criminal investigation ,[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13] and espionage .
Acting as a counterweight to the Intelligence Directorate of the Lebanese Armed Forces (Arabic : مديرية المخابرات في الجيش اللبناني ), it was extensively trained and supplied by the United States , France , and Germany . Having undergone training in the Alps , its Strike Force (Arabic : القوة الضاربة ) is equipped with advanced firearms and devices.[ 14]
Recognized as one of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the Middle East ,[ 15] its executives and officers have been subject to targeted assassinations and assassination attempts.[ 16]
^ Lebanon Security Forces Arrest Syrian Collaborator with Israeli Enemy: Recruited Two Brother Army Officers for Mossad – Al-Manar TV Lebanon , 2022, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Lebanon Busts over 15 Israeli Spy Rings: Some Networks Were Collecting Information of Hezbollah – Al-Manar TV Lebanon , 2022, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Lebanese Man Arrested For Working With Israeli Intelligence , 2021, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Information Branch arrests two Syrians for planning terrorist attacks , 2018, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ ISF Information Branch arrests IS network , 2016, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Daher: By the Information Branch efforts the real terrorists were unveiled; they are Ali Mamlouk and Michel Samaha's gang , 2023, retrieved 29 October 2023
^ ISF Information branch foils ISIS plan to target Army checkpoint, church , 2023, retrieved 4 November 2023
^ NNA: ISF Information Branch arrested Lebanese national for being involved in a security incident in Sidon , 2014, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Lebanon: TikTok Europe visa, migration scams target refugees , 2023, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ ISF busts international drug smuggling network: Lebanese sheikh arrested in Dahr al-Baidar , 2018, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ الوكالة الوطنية للإعلام - Makhzoumi salutes Information Branch, security forces after unveiling truth of Sheikh Al-Rifai's murder , 2023, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Suspects Behind Qabr Shamoun Clash Handed Ove , 2019, retrieved 29 October 2023
^ Joint operations between Information Branch, GSF and Iraqi Intelligence result in the release of Kidnapped Lebanese , 2023, retrieved 4 November 2023
^ Clash in Ain el Helwe following Army, ISF Information Branch raid , 2014, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Hbeish lauds ISF Information Branch endeavors , 2013, retrieved 28 October 2023
^ Al Jazeera Documentary الجزيرة الوثائقية , 2018, retrieved 29 November 2018