A child identified as Ali al-Sheikh was killed on Sunday in the region of Bab al-Tebbaneh, during the clashes between the Lebanese army and terrorist groups in the northern city of Tripoli, and his body was transferred to the Islamic Hospital. Two residents were also injured and transported to the city’s governmental hospital, the state-run National News agency reported.
The clashes have re-erupted at dawn between the Lebanese Armed Forces and the gunmen across the streets of Bab al-Tebbaneh, when the army was attempting to free the citizen identified as Tannous Nehme.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has been targeting the locations of the gunmen, and had blocked the road linking al-Mallouleh to Abou Ali roundabout.
Rocket-propelled grenades and light, medium, and heavy weapons were used in the clashes, the NNA noted, adding that severe damage was reported as several houses were burned in the vicinity of al-Tartousi Mosque.
The army had also used helicopters to fly over the Bab al-Tabbaneh area.
According to the news agency, the death toll of the clashes since it has erupted reached 2 civilians and several army members, while 24 civilians and soldiers were injured.
On another note, the Lebanese army Command declared in a statement that armed men kidnapped on Sunday the LAF First Adjutant Fayez al-Ammouri from the First Land Border Regiment, while he was at his house in Bab al-Tebbaneh, pointing out that army units are working on locating the abducted member in order to release him.
However, Chady al-Mawlawi stressed that the First Adjutant al-Ammouri is in good health, urging the army to end the military operation in order to release the kidnapped man.
Commenting on reports saying that mediation led to a ceasefire agreement,
military sources told LBCI that no ceasefire agreement has been reached in Tripoli, noting that the measures taken aim only at facilitating the evacuation of the civilians.
The same sources said that ceasefire agreements do not take place between an army and armed groups, which may exploit any truce to attack again.
For his part, the Head of the Higher Relief Council Mohammed Kheir arrived at Tripoli's old markets to inspect the damage from the clashes.
Accordingly, tens of families fleeing the clashes regions in Tripoli arrived to the towns of al-Donniyeh. In turn, the Lebanese army announced that it will continue its military operations, stressing that it will not accept any compromise until the armed men withdraw from the region.
For his part,
MP Mohammad Kabbara stressed that “the city of Tripoli has always been within the confines of the State,” calling on the officials to deal with the events taking place with equality and justice.
Following a meeting held at his residence in Tripoli, Kabbara reiterated his rejection to any attacks targeting the military bases and the army members.
The clashes in Tripoli erupted on Friday where 2 civilians were killed and at least 20 troops and civilians were injured, in addition to the LAF's martyrs.
For the past few months, the Lebanese army has been coming under growing armed attacks, mainly in northern Lebanon.