Relatives of Aazaz Pilgrims Hold Anew Sit-In, Quarrel with ISF

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

The families of the Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria's Aazaz staged a sit-in on Friday near al-Azariyeh building in downtown Beirut, preventing employees of the Turkish Cultural Center and Turkish Airlines from entering their offices.

Several relatives quarreled with the policemen deployed near the Turkish Airlines office after breaking the windows of the office.

In May 2012, eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria's Aleppo region as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from pilgrimage from Iran. Two of them have since been released, while the rest remain held in Aazaz.

Two Turkish Airlines pilots were kidnapped on August 9 after gunmen ambushed a bus carrying the national airliner's crew from Beirut's international airport to a hotel in the city.

A previously unknown group calling itself Zuwwar Imam al-Rida has claimed the kidnapping, demanding Turkey use its influence with Syria's rebels to secure the release of nine Lebanese Shiites kidnapped in Syria in May 2012.

Lebanese authorities have arrested three suspects and charged them in connection with the abduction.

Following the Turkish pilots' kidnapping, the relatives of Lebanese pilgrims held in Aazaz were quick to deny having any links to the abduction although they have repeatedly accused Turkey of being responsible for the release of their loved ones, warning that they will target Turkish interests in Lebanon in order to pressure Ankara to resolve the case.

Comments 4
Thumb Roaring-FlameThrower 20 September 2013, 11:21

God Bless the peaceful manifestations of the military wing of the "relatives of Aazaz pilgrims" . You have set an example how effective democratic law-abiding measures can draw attention to a just cause. Granted some glass was broken, but that is a very small price to pay for the horrific crimes committed by the Turkish regime against our pilgrims. I, Roaring-Flamethrower, am in favor of more escalatory measures, including but not limited to "hosting" more Turkish nationals in Dahiyeh. Such measures can only lead to more cultural exchange between Turkish people and the people of Dahiyeh which in turn will put more pressure on their takfiri government. Karbalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Ya Mazloooooooooooom!

Missing karim_m1-- 20 September 2013, 11:32

Why dont they just exchange hostages? Enough with the kidnapping. Send the Turks their 2 pilots and send the Lebanese the 10 pilgrims. Done deal, and both sides need to stop kidnapping innocent civilians.

Default-user-icon dddd (Guest) 20 September 2013, 11:43

The families of the Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria's Aazaz are worse than their kidnappers therefore no sympathy for them whatsoever.
they are outlaws resisting arrest.

Missing samiam 20 September 2013, 12:22

The ISF should start throwing these guys in jails aince there are kidnappers among them--2 wrongs NEVER make a right, and I for one, have lost every gram of pity for these people.