Army arrests suspected killer of officer

In a statement over the weekend, the Army confirmed reports that a Syrian national suspected of the murder of an Army officer in 2014 had been arrested. Identified Saturday as Ahmad Khaled Diab, the suspect was officially apprehended by Army Intelligence “over affiliation with terrorist groups.” Following his arrest, Diab admitted to participating in multiple assaults on Army units in the north eastern border town of Arsal and the killing of the Army’s Lt. Col. Noureddine Jamal. The town was briefly overrun by Daesh (ISIS) and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – previously known as the Nusra Front – in August 2014. Over 30 Army and police personnel were taken hostage in the clashes. Nine soldiers are still held hostage by Daesh.