Naharnet

Troops Raid Jabal Mohsen as Intense Sniper Activity in Tripoli Wounds at Least One

Sniper activity continued on Saturday afternoon in the northern city of Tripoli, wounding at least one person.

"Ahmed Mheish was wounded by sniper fire at al-Malloula highway in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

The NNA said that the wounded was transferred to a hospital in the region, noting that he is in a critical condition.

LBCI television noted that another person was wounded by sniper fire while he was in his car in al-Malloula area.

"A young girl was also injured in (the Tripoli neighborhood of) Jabal Mohsen," it added.

"The International Highway in Bab al-Tabbaneh also came under intensified sniper fire,” NNA said.

NNA then reported that unknown assailants torched a white Mercedes car near al-Mankoubine area after they targeted it with gunshots, but the driver, who hails from Jabal Mohsen, escaped unharmed.

Meanwhile, radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) said two shells were hurled at the Talaat al-Omari area and near the Jihad field in Tripoli, without causing any injuries.

And earlier in the day, a bomb was hurled in Tripoli's Syria street, according to LBCI.

Later in the evening, the Army Command's Orientation Directorate announced that troops continued to execute the security plan in the city, and to respond to the sources of fire.

"The troops continued implementing the adopted security procedures to control the security situation and preserve stability,” the army said in a communique.

The statement detailed: “The army's plan included patrolling, responding to the sources of fire, and raiding locations in Jabal Mohsen that are under suspicion.”

"The raids resulted in seizing armory and ammunition.”

The NNA had said earlier that troops raided several location in Jabal Mohsen, in search for two fugitives suspected of shooting at Mheish.

It noted that the suspects belong to the Sana and Deeb families.

“The army continued its raids in Jabal Mohsen, particularly in al-Haram building, in search for Hussein Deeb, nicknamed Suna, for suspecting his involvement in firing gunshots at Mheish,” VDL detailed.

According to NNA, the army also erected a checkpoint at the entrance of the Arab Democratic Party politburo chief Rifaat Eid's house to look for Mheish's shooter.

But Eid told LBCI: “We are not covering any party and we support the army's procedures.”

Al-Mustaqbal MP Mohammed Kabbara contacted Prime Minister Tammam Salam and former premier Saad Hariri over the situation in the northern city.

"Hariri assured that the cabinet will map a plan along with security leaders, and that this plan will be final to restore calm and normal life in Tripoli," Kabbara revealed.

A security source said earlier Saturday that clashes in the northern city have killed 24 people since March 13, as sniper fire forced the closure of the highway to Syria.

The security source said that since March 13, "there have been 14 killed and 128 wounded".

Fierce fighting on Friday killed 10 people raising the death toll to 24 since March 13, the security source said, adding that 128 people have also been wounded in the nine days of violence.

“Seventeen soldiers were among the wounded,” the source said.

The army has been deployed in Tripoli for several weeks to try to bring peace to the warring districts but troops have repeatedly come under fire.

Relative calm prevailed on Saturday although snipers forced the closure of the highway leading from Tripoli to the Syrian border.

Most of the fighting in the city has taken place under the cover of darkness.


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/123536