Army Seizes Control of Bhannine's Security as it Pursues Gunmen in its Orchards

Clashes broke out on Monday between the army and gunmen in the town of Bhannine in the northern region of Akkar as it continued its pursuit of the fugitives following days of unrest, reported the National News Agency.

It said that one officer was lightly wounded in the shootout that took place in the orchards of Bhannine.

The army had managed to seize control of the town and it was still pursuing the wanted gunmen.

It had raided apartments in the area east of Bhannine and searched the nearby Syrian refugee encampments.

It inspected their identification papers and searched their vehicles, added NNA.

A number of Lebanese and Syrians were consequently arrested for investigation and proper inspection of their identification papers.

In the orchards, meanwhile, the army pursued the gunmen from the town, who had fled towards the Oyoun al-Samak area in al-Dinniyeh.

It employed its military helicopters to that end.

The gunmen have been spotted between the areas of al-Dinniyeh and al-Minieh near Oyoun al-Samak.

Later on Monday, the army confirmed in a statement that an officer was lightly wounded in a clash with an armed group in Bhannine “during a major crackdown in the plains of the Akkar region in search for fugitives who fled during the clashes.”

NNA for its part said “army units, including a commando force, carried out several raids in many Akkar villages and towns.”

Troops also “staged patrols and erected checkpoints along the road separating the al-Qammoua area from Akkar al-Atiqa, all the way to the Qobaiyat-Beit Jaafar road,” NNA added.

The army also deployed in the area between the towns of Qoubaiyat, al-Sindyaneh, al-Majdal, al-Bireh and Khirbet Daoud and a suspect was reportedly arrested at a mountainous Akkar region, the agency added.

According to another army statement, “162 terrorists” have been arrested in Akkar, Minieh and Tripoli since Friday.

Calm had pervaded the areas of al-Minieh, Bhannine, and al-Mhammara following clashes in recent days that left scores of soldiers and gunmen dead.

NNA reported on Sunday that the clashes were taking place with gunmen loyal to Sheikh Khaled Hoblos.

M.T./Y.R.