Information Branch

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 (ISF) (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.

Information Department

Agency overview
Formed	August 6, 1993
Headquarters	Beirut, Lebanon
Employees	Classified
Annual budget	Classified
Agency executives	Wissam al-Hassan, Brigadier General  † Imad Othman, Major General Khaled Hammoud, Brigadier General
Parent department	Internal Security Forces Directorate
Website	https://isf.gov.lb/en/article/183/

Acting as a counterweight to the Intelligence Directorate of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (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]

See also

• General Directorate of General Security
• Lebanese State Security
• October 2012 Beirut bombing

References

1. 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
2. Lebanon Busts over 15 Israeli Spy Rings: Some Networks Were Collecting Information of Hezbollah – Al-Manar TV Lebanon, 2022, retrieved 28 October 2023
3. Lebanese Man Arrested For Working With Israeli Intelligence, 2021, retrieved 28 October 2023
4. Information Branch arrests two Syrians for planning terrorist attacks, 2018, retrieved 28 October 2023
5. ISF Information Branch arrests IS network, 2016, retrieved 28 October 2023
6. 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
7. ISF Information branch foils ISIS plan to target Army checkpoint, church, 2023, retrieved 4 November 2023
8. NNA: ISF Information Branch arrested Lebanese national for being involved in a security incident in Sidon, 2014, retrieved 28 October 2023
9. Lebanon: TikTok Europe visa, migration scams target refugees, 2023, retrieved 28 October 2023
10. ISF busts international drug smuggling network: Lebanese sheikh arrested in Dahr al-Baidar, 2018, retrieved 28 October 2023
11. الوكالة الوطنية للإعلام - Makhzoumi salutes Information Branch, security forces after unveiling truth of Sheikh Al-Rifai's murder, 2023, retrieved 28 October 2023
12. Suspects Behind Qabr Shamoun Clash Handed Ove, 2019, retrieved 29 October 2023
13. Joint operations between Information Branch, GSF and Iraqi Intelligence result in the release of Kidnapped Lebanese, 2023, retrieved 4 November 2023
14. Clash in Ain el Helwe following Army, ISF Information Branch raid, 2014, retrieved 28 October 2023
15. Hbeish lauds ISF Information Branch endeavors, 2013, retrieved 28 October 2023
16. Al Jazeera Documentary الجزيرة الوثائقية, 2018, retrieved 29 November 2018