Sniper Shots Hit Syria Street as Grenade Explodes in Baal al-Darawish

Sniper gunshots were fired on Wednesday at Syria Street, which separates the rival Tripoli neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, as a hand grenade exploded in the neighboring Baal Al-Darawish area, National News Agency reported.

No gunmen were visible in Bab al-Tabbaneh, amidst complete shutdown of shops and stores, reported NNA.

On Tuesday exchange of gunfire between the rival neighborhoods shook the fragile ceasefire, as the army threatened an “unprecedented response” against anyone who violates the truce.

Army troops fired back at the sources of gunfire on Tuesday, NNA said.

Al-Jadeed television quoted army sources as saying that “should the situation remain like this, there will be an unprecedented response (from the army) never witnessed before by the two parties.”

Earlier on Tuesday, unidentified attackers hurled two hand grenades on Starco Street which is adjacent to Syria Street.

Al-Liwaa newspaper reported Wednesday that contacts are ongoing with the different factions in Tripoli to maintain calm in the northern city and to halt any security violations by any side.

According to the daily, officials are continuing their efforts to preserve stability in Tripoli, urging Arab Democratic Party official Rifaat Eid, who leads the mainly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen, and several leaders of the rival neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh, not to slip over into new clashes.

Sectarian violence has flared several times in Tripoli since the revolt broke out in neighboring Syria in March last year.