Two Hurt by Sniper Fire in Jabal Mohsen as 'Cautious Calm' Engulfs Tripoli

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Cautious calm engulfed the northern city of Tripoli on Sunday as at least two people were wounded by sniper fire in Jabal Mohsen, one day after two men from the neighborhood were wounded in a knife attack at a nearby vegetable market.

Quoting Abdul Latif Saleh, a spokesman for the Arab Democratic Party which is the main political and military group in Jabal Mohsen, the National News Agency said Ali Abdullah, aka Al-Haskeh, was hit by a sniper bullet that penetrated his shoulder. He was rushed to al-Zahraa Dispensary for treatment.

Earlier, several areas in Jabal Mohsen and the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood came under sniper gunfire, amid “cautious calm” in the two districts, NNA reported.

Tensions subsided as army units deployed along Syria Street, which separates the two districts, as well as at all the intersections that connect the two neighborhoods, NNA added later on Sunday.

"No gunfire is being heard at the moment," it said.

OTV earlier said "three people were wounded by sniper fire in Tripoli's Jabal Mohsen."

Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.5) reported a lower toll, saying two people were wounded. It also said a hand grenade exploded on Syria Street.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) identified the two wounded as Ali Nasr Abdullah and policeman Fouad Faisal Ibrahim, saying they were rushed to the Our Lady of Zgharta Hospital.

On Saturday evening, gunshots were heard in the region following a personal feud that took place at a vegetable market.

“The residents of Jabal Mohsen blocked a northern road with burning tires after men from Bab al-Tabbaneh attacked two people from their neighborhood,” the radio station said.

“Bursts of machinegun fire were heard in Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen following the incident,” according to LBCI.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) said an Energa-type rocket was fired on Syria Street.

Arab Democratic Party official Rifaat Eid told LBCI: “What happened in Jabal Mohsen is a spontaneous reaction to the feud in the vegetable market.”

“The security forces promised to follow up on the situation,” he noted.

Eid labeled on Thursday the situation in Tripoli as “intolerable”, warning against the lack of security and the “sectarian killing” taking place in the northern region.

Comments 4
Thumb primesuspect 17 March 2013, 15:56

People are sick. Who can even do such things? Someone who was messed up by the long Lebanese civil war and that wasn't treated for his psychological wounds.

Thumb mckinl 17 March 2013, 17:01

Anyone using sniper fire, grenades or rockets is not a "knucklehead" they are a criminal ... appeasement of this behavior only leaves the door open for escalation.

Thumb mckinl 17 March 2013, 16:34

The Army and the ISF need a constant presence on Syria Street. Troublemakers should be dealt with swiftly and forcefully.

Ties with the leaders of both camps need to be strengthened so that those guilty can be arrested promptly ...

If possible a police force manned by both Allawites and Sunnis should be established so that mixed patrols of both camps can work together.

Penalties for using weapons and especially grenades or rockets must be severe as these activities are wanton and indiscriminate.

Missing roxsheba 18 March 2013, 06:31

These fanatics should be transported to the North Pole. Let them chill and reflect on living in harmony with humans otherwise leave them there as feed to the polar bears. Bastards....