REPORT: Rocket fire on border town of Arsal kills 9, wounds 7 others

Six rockets hit on Friday the al-Shakf neighborhood in the border town of Arsal, killing 9 persons including 5 children and wounding 7 others

The victims were identified as Mohammad, Mahmoud, Yara, and Adla Hjairi (from one family), Omar Abdel Menhem Hjairi, Hassan Mohammad Ezzeddine, and Asraa Hmeid. 

A security source confirmed to LBCI that the rockets were launched from the Syrian side.

Meanwhile, heavy gunfire was reported in Arsal as residents were holding the funeral of those killed in the rocket attack.

Arsal's Mayor Ali Mohammad Hjairi accused via LBCI Lebanon’s Hezbollah of being behind the attacks.

In another incident, three rockets from the Syrian side hit the outskirts of Hermel, while three others fell on the valley of al-Qasr town, more specifically on al-Bouayda and al-Masrya roads, causing no material damages.

Four rockets also landed on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek while four others hit the valley of al-Labweh region, without causing any damages.

Shelling from the Syrian side has also damaged other Lebanese border towns which have bore the brunt of the cross-border attacks.

This comes as a result of the fighting taking place in Syria between Syrian government troops and rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. 

Michel Sleiman:

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman warned on Friday of the involvement in the Syrian crisis, stressing that Lebanese citizens are paying the price of this involvement.

Najib Mikati:

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the rocket attacks targeting the Lebanese border town of Hermel, urging the army command to implement tight security measures to protect the Lebanese territories.

Fouad Siniora:

For his part, head of the Future Bloc former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora denounced the attack, calling on Hezbollah to withdraw its forces from Syria.

Siniora also called for holding transparent and honest investigations in order to specify from where these rockets were launched.

Army Command:    

The Army Command said that "between 10:45 am and 12:00 noon, the valley of Ras Baalbek as well as the Hermel towns of al-Kouwakh and al-Bouayda, the town of Arsal, and the town of Masharih al-Qaa, were hit by 20 rockets from the Syrian side".       

Casualties and material damages were reported in the border town of Arsal, the Army Command added.


To watch Edmond Sassine's report, please click on the video above.