Army Starts Implementing Plan to End Week of Clashes in Tripoli after 3 Killed on Sunday

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The army started implementing a security plan in the northern city of Tripoli on Sunday afternoon in a bid to put an end to seven days of deadly clashes, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Army units have completed their deployment in Jabal Mohsen, ahead of expanding this deployment to the neighboring areas, amid a notable decline in the intensity of clashes on all frontiers which are only witnessing a minor sniper activity,” NNA said.

“The soldier Youssef Kamal has died of wounds incurred today in Jabal Mohsen, which raises the day's death toll to three,” the agency added.

Earlier, NNA said the army started deploying in Jabal Mohsen's al-Nafoura, al-Masharqa and al-Amerkan area as part of a plan that will involve Jabal Mohsen, Bab al-Tabbaneh and the rest of the city.

Clashes renewed in the afternoon as three shells hit the entrance of the vegetable market and al-Omari Street, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) reported.

It said a man identified as Youssef Allouf was wounded by sniper fire in Jabal Mohsen, adding that sniper gunshots were targeting all fighting frontiers and that the army was shooting back at the sources of gunfire.

“A hand grenade landed in Syria Street as heavy gunfire erupted on the Syria Street-Jabal Mohsen frontier,” Voice of Lebanon said.

The death toll from a week of clashes between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh has risen to 14, according to a security official.

The official said scores more were wounded, including 16 in the past two days alone.

Earlier on Sunday, two people were killed by sniper gunfire in Jabal Mohsen, said NNA.

It identified the victims as Moussa Ahmed al-Masri and Muheiddine Abdul Latif.

The week-long clashes had subsided overnight, but intermittent gunshots could be heard in different areas in the city on Sunday morning, reported MTV.

NNA said that sniper activity was active on Syria Street, al-Bisar, Souq al-Qameh, al-Barranieyh neighborhood, al-Baqqar area, and Jabal Mohsen.

The army had deployed checkpoints along Syria Street that separates Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, where most of the clashes are centered.

The neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen have been for years witnessing deadly gunbattles, but skirmishes began to flare with increasing intensity after the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.

The Bab al-Tabbaneh district is largely Sunni, like Syria's rebels. Jabal Mohsen mostly has residents of Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite sect.

The fighting broke out on Monday evening as celebratory gunfire erupted in Jabal Mohsen over Assad’s appearance on al-Mayadeen television for an interview.

Comments 14
Thumb lebanon_first 27 October 2013, 09:37

God helps Tripoli. Let us pray for the souls of those victims who lost their lives uselessly for this absurd war.

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:10

What is there to pray for? They have been fighting each other sense the Civil war and after it's end. There is no hope for Tripoli, i wouldn't even consider it a part of Lebanon, if you go there you will realize it is part of Afghanistan not Leb.

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:11

since*

Thumb mckinl 27 October 2013, 11:08

The Army needs to maintain necessary checkpoints indefinitely. A curfew also need be established ...

This "lull" in hostilities is the perfect time to establish Army presence with the fewest casualties.

Sending the Army in after clashes begin is a fool's errand. The Army takes more casualties and is perceived as weak for not stopping the bloodshed.

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:13

The army always setup checkpoints inside and out of Tripoli, and between Jabal Mohsen and Tabbaneh, and yet they can't maintain those positions when they hear gunshots. Our army is a joke sadly

Thumb eli-g 27 October 2013, 14:32

the army is weak because the hizb is stronger. If the hizb was not there the army would be stronger than these thugs that are disturbing peoples lives.

Thumb cedre 27 October 2013, 17:14

there is FT, forgot the one that was shot dead...

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2013/Aug-22/228229-hezbollah-activist-among-3-killed-in-tripoli-shooting.ashx#axzz2iw4Smbrh

Thumb benzona 27 October 2013, 23:09

hezb ebola is everywhere, the metastasis are now in the entire system.

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:19

eli there is not even any hezbollah in Tripoli, but yes it is true what you said, Hezbollah is indeed stronger than the army. So the army should instead try to upgrade itself and regain some courage, instead of hiding everytime we are at war.

Thumb cedre 27 October 2013, 17:19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKN9a-jo30s

Thumb cedre 27 October 2013, 18:59

u just summarized the problem, government is in bad position, cant do much or cars gonna begin exploding everywhere and citizen gettin kidnapped.
Tripoli mosque bombing was a warning...

Thumb cedre 27 October 2013, 23:34

habibi, i didn't shoot myself in the foot, coz I cant remember when I was M14 or mustaqbal fan. Never voted for them, never will. I dont vote.
Btw in the article they dont say pro-hezb or hezb supporter, it says activist...

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:08

Lol the Army is a joke. Acting like big strong men infront of the cameras, and hides and retreats as soon as they hear gunshots. Pathetic.

Thumb Mystic 28 October 2013, 02:24

Actually the army doesn't shoot at anyone. When they come under fire, they run back into their APCs and drive out of the fire zone