Two Australians of Lebanese origin have been charged in Kuwait for being involved in a gun-running network that smuggles anti-aircraft missiles into Syria for the Islamic State. Six men have been arrested in connection with the overnight allegations brought by Kuwait’s Interior Ministry.

The six men arrested in Kuwait included Syrian, Kuwaiti and Lebanese nationals. The two Australians along with a Syrian were allegedly involved in the network.

According to the statement released by the Interior Ministry of Kuwait on Thursday, the leader of the group, who is a Lebanese man named Usama Mohammad Said Khayat, confessed that they sent air defence missiles and funds to the Islamic State. The man was serving as the coordinator for the Islamic State in Kuwait and smuggled the fire arms into Syria through Turkey.

"[Khayat] was in continuous contact with ISIS leadership in Syria, and confessed to printing stamps and designing seals bearing the logo of ISIS, and transferring sums of money to accounts in Turkey and Syria," the statement said.

One of the arrested members overlooked the transfer of the militants abroad and transfer of funds to ISIS accounts. Funds were also transferred to bank accounts in Turkey and Australia, but no information have been provided on how these accounts were operated. The ministry has not revealed any details on the size of the arms deal.

It also said that the two Australians, Hisham Mohammad Zahab and Rabih Zahab as named in the statement, have not yet been arrested as they are not in Kuwait. The whereabouts of the two Australians are still unknown. If arrested and found guilty, the two could face long jail term or even death sentence.

A number of Islamic State members and sympathisers were tried in Kuwait in connection with a suicide bombing attack at mosque within its border in June. Seven men were sentenced to death and eight others were given jail term between two to 15 years.

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