Army Intelligence Detains Asir Supporters in Abra
The army intelligence detained three supporters of fugitive Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, media reports said on Tuesday.
Ali, Ahmed and Ali Ahmed Hijazi were arrested in a raid carried out by troops in Abra in the southern city of Sidon.
Later on Tuesday, the army intelligence arrested another of Asir's supporters, identifying him as as W.B. who is said to be a security official among the cleric's backers, reported the National News Agency.
Earlier, Asir called on his supporters to hide away to avoid falling in the hands of Lebanese security forces, in particular in Sidon.
“I have exerted all my efforts to make my Umma triumph, but unfortunately my brothers are being chased, tortured and killed amid a fatal silence by the sons of my religion in Lebanon,” Asir said via his twitter account.
On Monday, the army said in a communique that it arrested late on Saturday Mohammed Ojail and Hassan al-Dghaily for forming a terrorist cell in the region of Sharhabeel east of Sidon.
A large number of weapons, ammunition, hand grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades were seized from their residence.
Al-Asir and singer turned fugitive Islamist Fadel Shaker are reportedly hiding in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh that lies in Sidon.
Sidon’s clashes between the army and supporters of al-Asir have resulted in the death of at least 16 troops.
Many of al-Asir's supporters, who were involved in the battles that erupted on June 2013, have been apprehended.
H.K.
M.T.
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