From Yunin to Arsal: How Internal Security Forces Dismantled Bird Genocide Nets

The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces, Public Relations Division, issued the following statement:

"In the framework of combating illegal hunting, particularly through the use of nets set as traps that encircle birds and cut off their migration routes, turning them into instruments of extermination that kill entire flocks, eliminate large numbers of birds, and threaten some species with extinction, thereby endangering biological diversity, disrupting ecological balance, and depleting natural resources, the Bekaa Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit continues its extensive field campaign to seize illegally installed bird-hunting nets.

The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces had previously announced that, during the first phase of the campaign, the detachment managed to seize and remove /20,640/ square meters of nets in several areas of the Bekaa.

To complement these efforts, the detachment continued its operations for three days, in coordination with the Lebanese–International Joint Operations Team within the Anti-Poaching Unit APU (MECSHAP–CABS), covering the areas of Yunin, Al-Laboua, Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Mashaari' Al-Qaa, Al-Kuwaitiya, Jbula, Jadida Al-Fakha, and the hills of Nahle.

The joint operations resulted in the removal of an additional /17,640/ square meters of nets, bringing the total campaign tally to /38,280/ square meters.

The detachment used a drone to detect nets and determine their locations from the air. Elements of the Ras Baalbek Platoon participated in removing part of them, while several sustainable hunters contributed field information that helped identify violation sites.

As a result of follow-up, investigations, and inquiries, detachment elements identified the identities of several individuals involved, and legal procedures are underway against them based on the instruction of the competent judiciary.

The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces renews its call to citizens to contribute to combating illegal hunting and report violators by documenting violations with photos or videos and sending them via the 'Baligh' service, or by contacting the Operations Room at number /112/."