As domestic and international calls intensify for all weapons in Lebanon to be placed under state control, renewed attention is being paid to illegal arms not only in the hands of Hezbollah, but also to those held by other armed factions. Among these groups is the Islamic Group in Lebanon, whose military wing—known as the “Fajr Forces”—played an active role during past conflicts and continues to maintain dormant organizational structures within the country’s shifting political and security landscape.

Intensifying Pressure for Disarmament

Momentum is building in favor of disarmament, with growing pressure from both within Lebanon and abroad to end the existence of parallel armed forces. These calls are no longer limited to political statements or international positions; they’ve become a recurring demand echoed by senior Lebanese officials. President Joseph Aoun has led this push, repeatedly calling for a national dialogue aimed at developing a comprehensive defense strategy that would ultimately end Lebanon’s militarized pluralism.

The Islamic Group’s Position: Cautious Commitment

In light of these developments, kataeb.org reached out to the Islamic Group, a politically active faction with roots in Lebanon’s armed resistance during the Israeli occupation of the south. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior official from the group reaffirmed their commitment to the state and national stability.

 A senior official in the group told the site that it is “committed to the decisions of the Lebanese state, civil peace, and full coordination with the security agencies,” adding that the group “remains firmly supportive of stability, especially under the terms of the ceasefire agreement brokered by international guarantors, despite repeated Israeli violations."

However, the statement stopped short of a full commitment to disarmament. Instead, the official framed the issue within the broader context of "a required national dialogue on defense strategy," hinting that the group’s military status remains contingent on the outcome of those discussions.

Fajr Forces: A Symbolic Legacy More Than a Combat Force?

Sources within the Fajr Forces told kataeb.org that the faction has undertaken some organizational restructuring in recent months, particularly during the most recent flare-ups in southern Lebanon. However, they emphasized that the group does no longer possess heavy weaponry.

Most of its arsenal, according to these sources, was handed over during the 1990s. The weapons currently held are limited to light arms and perhaps a few medium-sized weapons, suggesting that Fajr Forces today represent more of a symbolic or legacy organization than an active militia.

Media Reports and Firm Denials

Meanwhile, media outlets recently reported that the Lebanese Army had dismantled a training camp allegedly operated by members of the Islamic Group and Hamas in southern Lebanon. The claim was swiftly denied by security officials, who stated the report was “completely unfounded.”

The Islamic Group issued a strongly worded denial, asserting that it “does not operate any training camp or military facility in any Lebanese region.” The group’s firm response appeared aimed at dispelling any security-related concerns that could undermine its political position or fuel suspicions about its activities.

What Comes Next?

The central question remains: Will the Islamic Group’s weapons become part of a broader national disarmament agreement? Could Lebanon be on the cusp of transitioning the group from a legacy armed faction into a fully political actor?

What’s clear is that the coming phase will test the seriousness of all Lebanese parties in committing to the principles of a unified state, a monopoly on arms, and a single national military institution.