LAF responds to sources of fire amid sporadic sniping

The Lebanese Armed Forces responded to the sources of fire in Tripoli, after sending out warnings to the militants, reports said on Tuesday evening.

According to VDL (93.3) sources, an army vehicle came under fire after clashes renewed in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

This as, sources reported on Tuesday that sporadic sniping continued between the two rival areas escalating, causing the death of  citizens Mohammad Ibrahim and Abdel Kader Nassouh.

Earlier, Fire shots were heard on Tuesday in the region of Talaat al-Omari, across Tripoli's Syria Street.

The incident caused a state of confusion among citizens leading to the closure of some shops in the wheat market.

In this context, the media official in the Arab Democratic Party was quoted as saying that he, alongside other men, were shot at with citizen Ali al-Ali (30 years old) sustaining minor injuries.

The highway which links Tripoli to Akkar and Syria remains open for passengers and is witnessing normal traffic.

On the other hand, the Lebanese army conducted patrols in the regions between Bab el-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

Tensions have been on the rise in the already volatile area in the wake of the Talkalakh incidents.

On the 30th of November 2012, reports emerged saying that a number of Lebanese nationals died in a Syrian ambush in the bordering town of Talkalakh.

At least 14 Lebanese and Palestinian gunmen from north Lebanon were reportedly killed, with three wounded and detained in the ambush. Syrian state television aired graphic video of the dead men, riddled with gunshot wounds and lying in the grass.  [To read the names of the victims please click here]

A security source added that these "militants" were fighting alongside the Syrian opposition forces.

The sectarian makeup of Tripoli has made it a flashpoint within Lebanon reflecting the worsening conflict in Syria, an uprising that is being waged mostly by Sunni Muslims and largely opposed by minorities like Assad's own Alawite sect.
   
Tripoli is a majority Sunni city with a small Alawite minority and has erupted in clashes several times since the Syrian revolt began.
   
Residents said violence flared overnight when rocket-propelled grenades were fired by gunmen in the Sunni neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh and the Alawite area of Jabal Mohsen.
   
Fighting broke out on Tuesday morning after Sunni gunmen approached some Alawite shops. One person was wounded in Jabal Mohsen, residents said.
  
Families of the dead and missing have been protesting in Tripoli, demanding that the Lebanese government return the bodies and determine the whereabouts of those missing.


LBCI/REUTERS


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