LEBANON: REACTION TO ABDUCTION OF US MARINE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06932290
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: May 2, 2022
• Case Number: F-2020-01608
• Publication Date: February 19, 1988

Approved for Release: 2022/04/12 C06932290
Director of
Central
Intelligence
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National Intelligence Daily
Friday
19 February 1988
cret
CPAS MD 88-040JX
19 February 1988
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Contents
Lebanon: Reaction to Abduction of US Marine 1
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19 February 1988
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LEBANON: Reaction to Abduction of US Marine
Syria and Arne!, a Lebanese militia cooperating with Syria, are
attempting to locate the new American hostaas but 127th have
limited ability to affect the sltuatIon.
Yesterday, the Islamic Revolutionary Brigade�a name previously
associated with Hizballah�claimed responsibility for the abduction of
Lieutenant Colonel Higgins and charged him with working with the
CIA. Higgins reportedly was kidnaped by Hizballah members based in
Tyre who may haw! bean antino on orriarg from Iran
Amal reportedly has kidnaped four Hizballah members and two
members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to use as bargaining
chips to obtain Higgins's release. Amal has begun an intensive search
for him In the Tyre region
Comment: Amal is likely to continue to press hard for Higgins's safe
return, both to protect its reputation as the guardian of security In the
south and to preserve good relations with UN forces in the region,
Despite Amal's dominance in the area in which the kidnaping
occurred, Hizballah has made significant gains in southern Lebanon
that will severely hamper Amal's efforts.
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No Syrian troops are deployed in the area of the kidnaping, reducing
Syria's local leverage on Hizballah; the closest Syrian military
presence is a checkpoint at the Awali River, 25 miles (40 kilometers)
north of Tyre. Damascus is angry with Hizballah for the kidnapings in
West Beirut of American journalist Charles Glass in June and of a
West German last month and could register its displeasure over this
kidnaping by restricting and harassing Hizballah in the southern
suburbs around Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley, where Syria's military
presence is strong. Because Higgins disappeared in an area where
Syria does not provide security, Damascus probably does not feel
embarrassed or obligated to take particularly strong measures on his
behalf.
TIA-Setr----ret
1 19 February 1988
Approved for Release: 2022/04/12 C06932290