Security forces in Lebanon are confirming that a woman and child detained ten days ago are a wife and son of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the terrorist group Islamic State.  It could provide information about the reclusive terrorist, about which little is known.

Lebanon is not releasing details about the pair, who were allegedly trying to travel on forged documents.  A local newspaper describes the pair as a “valuable catch”.

Reports say the child could either a son or daughter of al-Baghdadi, and DNA tests are being performed.  If the identities are confirmed, it could give Lebanon some leverage by using the pair as bargaining chips to win the release of some of the 20 soldiers and police taken hostage by IS and the al Qaeda-aligned al Nusra Front.

But the pair might also be able to provide information about the household of Baghdadi, who rarely appears in public.  Some conservative interpretations of Islam allow men to take up to four wives – it is not known if Baghdadi has done this, or how many children he might have.