Clashes erupted in Al Taamir neighborhood in Ain El-Helwe Palestinian camp between Hezbollah members and Sheikh Al-Assir supporters, causing the death of 3 of Assir’s partisans, among them Libnan Al-Ezze. Gunfire was heard in the area of Aabra when the 3rd Assir partisan (Egyptian national) was reported dead. The LAF headed to the scene.
Several others were wounded, among them Hezbollah official Zeid Daher.
Accordingly, the victims were rushed to the hospital and the LAF intervened. The fight between Assir's supporters and Hezbollah broke out after the party raised Shiite religious banners in Sidon.
Earlier, ISF members clashed with Assir’s supporters after the security forces stopped the Sheikh’s son Omar al-Assir for driving a vehicle with tinted windows without holding an authorization warrant.
Assir’s supporters arrived in a convoy and released Omar by force. Positions: PM Najib Mikati asked Interior Minister Marwan Chabel to call for an urgent meeting of the sub Security Council in the South to discuss the clashes that occurred in Sidon. Mikati urged as well all the security apparatuses to take the necessary measures to control the situation and arrest all the involved persons. The PM called on all the Lebanese parties to remain calm and practice self-restraint to prevent any security incidents from happening during this critical period, warning that “the authorities will not tolerate any security violation.” For his part, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said that today’s incident is the result of political and sectarian tensions, stressing that he had warned of such unfortunate events 5 months ago. "Security cannot be compromised, LAF will shoot at all armed gunmen,” Charbel added. He also urged all Lebanese parties to resolve their difference through dialogue. Charbel said later that investigations were launched to reveal the incident’s circumstances, emphasizing that extra security measures will be taken starting tonight. Charbel also revealed that he suggested declaring Sidon as a restricted military area to prevent further clashes. The minister hoped that such events won’t lead to a new civil war similar to the one that erupted back in 1975.