7 Soldiers Wounded as Troops Raid Tripoli Neighborhoods

Several soldiers were wounded on Saturday when a hand grenade was hurled in a Tripoli neighborhood, as troops continued raiding several neighborhoods in the northern city.

"A hand grenade was hurled at an army patrol during raids in Bab al-Tabbaneh (neighborhood in Tripoli),” a communique by the military institution said.

"Seven soldiers, among them two army officers, were wounded in the incident,” the statement added, noting that two civilians were also lightly injured.

A patrol prosecuted the assailant, who was identified as Omar al-Hakim, and was able to arrest him in al-Zahrieh area in the northern city, the statement said.

"Army forces also seized a military weapon with him,” it reported.

"Investigation was launched with the detainee and troops are continuing the raids and prosecutions in the North.”

Earlier in the day, the state-run National News Agency said said an unknown assailant hurled a hand grenade in the Bab al-Hadid area near the Tripoli fortress.

“A soldier was wounded in the incident,” it added.

Meanwhile, radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) said army forces were preparing to launch a “major operation” in the old markets area in Tripoli.

"Troops cordoned off the the majority of Tripoli's old markets ahead of the operation,” VDL detailed.

According to VDL (100.5), soldiers were preparing to raid the Tripoli Fish Market.

Several media outlets also reported that a gunfire exchange took place during an individual dispute in the northern city.

VDL (93.3) said five people were wounded when a bomb was hurled in the Fish Market area.

MTV noted that the exchange of fire took place during an individual dispute.

Saturday's security developments come as the military institution and security forces are implementing a security plan, which was adopted by the cabinet, to restore calm and end the state of violence and chaos in Tripoli and the Bekaa.

The plan has succeeded so far in the arrest of dozens of fugitives, and in seizing multiple illegal and stolen vehicles and weapons.

S.D.B.