Syrian Navy Targets Lebanese Fishing Boats Off al-Arida, Detains Three Fishermen
The Syrian navy opened fire on Wednesday at Lebanese fishing boats off the coast of the northern Lebanese town of al-Arida, detaining three fishermen, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The news agency said that a fishing boat owned by Fadi H., who hails from al-Arida, was damaged but no casualties were reported.
NNA also reported that the Syrian navy seized another fishing boat, pulling it into the Syrian territorial waters.
The boat is owned by Khaled Hassan al-Rashidi from the town of Bennine.
Al-Rashidi was arrested along with Bachir al-Mishmeshani and a Palestinian national, who was not identified.
Angered by the incident, al-Rashidi's family called on the concerned officials to release the detained men along with the fishing boat, threatening to block roads.
The Syrian navy continuously opens fire at Lebanese fishermen off al-Arida coast, the latest in August 2013 when it released eight fishermen after their short detention.
In January 2012, Syrian authorities also released a Lebanese fishing boat the Syrian navy had seized after an incident in which a 14-year-old Lebanese boy was killed and two sailors were arrested.
H.K.
M.T.
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