Naharnet Newsdesk - Army Bombs Out Fatah al-Islam Bunkers

			Welcome
English

Lebanon

Army Bombs Out Fatah al-Islam Bunkers
Lebanese Army helicopter gunships pounded Fatah al-Islam bunkers in the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared for the second straight day Friday paving the way for infantrymen to engage terrorists in face-to-face combat.
Witnesses said two gun ships dropped one bomb each at Fatah al-Islam bunkers as commando units opened up with automatic rifles and began a cautious slow-but-steady advance across the rubble to root out terrorists entrenched in underground bunkers since May 20.

They said smoke and dust billowed from the stricken targets and the thuds of the powerful explosions echoed across the northern Akkar Province which abuts the deserted campo.

That brought to 14 the number of bombs dropped by Lebanese Army choppers on the network of bunkers where Fatah al-Islam terrorists are entrenched for a fight to the end.

No casualties were reported in army ranks.

Agence France Presse quoted an unnamed army spokesman as saying that for the first time since the conflict erupted on May 20, the army used helicopters on Thursday to drop several 250-kilogram (550-pound) bombs on underground bunkers in Nahr al-Bared.

"They are not guided missiles, they are bombs developed by the army in order to destroy the underground bunkers in the camp," he said.

On Thursday, an officer told AFP that the army had achieved a new breakthrough in the last sector of Nahr al-Bared still held by the Islamist militants, without giving more details on the operations.

He said the army "destroyed some buildings with explosives, uncovering the entrances to underground tunnels and fortifications."

More than 200 people, including 136 soldiers, have been killed since the conflict erupted on May 20, the worst internal violence since the end of Lebanon's civil war in 1990.

Most of the camp's 30,000 residents have fled since the battles erupted, but about 60 women and children related to Fatah al-Islam fighters remain inside.

The army has accused the Islamists of using them as human shields.(Naharnet-AFP)

Beirut, 10 Aug 07, 18:34


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

Khalife Clarifies Previous Statement: Ethiopian Plane 'Explosion' Not Necessarily Sabotage Act

Separate St. Maroun Celebrations in Beirut and Brad, Sfeir Says Maronite Church Keen on Coexistence

Spanish King Inspects U.N. Troops in South Lebanon

Jumblat Expresses Regret at 'Offensive Words' against Syrian People, Leadership

Hariri Convinced with Syrian Clarifications on Assad's Remarks

Struger: The Situation is Calm, All Sides Cooperating with UNIFIL

Murr Kicks of Talks with U.S. Officials

Army Arrests Majzoub's Uncle

Suleiman to Spain's King: Lebanon, UNIFIL Facing Dangerous Israeli Threats

Saudi Government Urges International Response to Israeli Threats Against Lebanon, Syria

U.S. Congressman Involved in Deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut Dies

Phalange Party: Assad's Remarks 'a Second Message' after Abu Moussa's

Jumblat: Leave the Issue of Feb. 14 Rally Participation to Last Minute

Sfeir in Lent Message: Maronite Presence is Based on Covenant, We Ask for No One's Guarantees

Quarrel at Manara Fishermen Port: Mashnouq Denies Being Beaten, Aridi Declines to Comment

Recovered Black Box Could Tell Story of Ethiopian Plane Crash

Assad to Berri: Syria will Support Lebanon if Israel Attacks

Black Box Retrieved 14 Days after Ethiopian Plane Crash

Filipina House Worker Murders Employer's Sister with Kitchen Knife

Rifi in Damascus as March 14 Adapts to New Phase

Assad to Berri: We Support Lebanon and Its Stability

Aoun: Lebanese Refugees in Israel is a Pressing Issue, Not All of Them are Spies

Survey: Mixed View of Hizbullah in Muslim Countries

Western Diplomat Rules Out Israeli War on Lebanon

Mustaqbal Doubts Authenticity of Remarks Attributed to Assad, Hariri Calls Assad

Aridi: Black Boxes Located under the Ethiopian Plane's Tail

European Official: Lebanon is Safe from Israeli Attacks during Next 3 Months

Sfeir Sends Jumblat Message

Qassem Rules Out War but Says Hizbullah Should be Ready

Jumblat Concerned over New Israeli War, Describes Situation as Madness

Hizbullah Cadres on Alert

U.S. Concern over Alleged Arms Smuggling, Repetition of 2006 Scenario

Suleiman Consulting with Officials on Reviving National Dialogue

International Review of UNIFIL Structure Amid Denial to Downsize it

Gilad: Israel's Anti-Missile System to Remain on Lebanon's Front

Jumblat Snaps Back at Lieberman: We Are with Syrian People, Leadership Above All Else

Sfeir: Possibilities of War Exist as Long as Hizbullah Wants to Play State Role

Cassese: Hariri Case Highly Complex

Suleiman: Lebanese Democratic System Among the Best in the World

Interior Ministry, USAID Sign MOU on Technical Support for Municipal Elections

Wahab Accuses Arslan of Murder Attempt, Tells Him Gone is Era of Dinosaurs

Army, Lebanese Forces at Loggerheads Over Alleged Torture of Minor

Geagea: March 14 will Carry On until Cedar Revolution Goals are Achieved

Libya Expects Suleiman to Participate in Arab Summit Despite Shiite Ire

Moussa: Fragile Mideast Situation Could Reflect on Lebanon

Agreement to Stop News Leaks on Dar al-Fatwa

Assad: Civil War in Lebanon Could Start in Days unless They Change the Whole System

Names of Lebanese Passengers Released from Plane Crash


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views