Lebanese soldiers deployed in al-Nour square, in Tripoli (North Lebanon), on Jan. 31, 2021 during violent demonstrations. (Credit: Fathi Al-Masri/AFP)
BEIRUT — A suspected terrorist who allegedly tried to run over members of the Lebanese Army was shot dead in North Lebanon on Tuesday, the army announced Thursday.
Here’s what we know:
• The man, who reportedly tried to run over soldiers in Wadi Khaled, north Lebanon, was shot dead by the soldiers on Tuesday evening, the army said in a statement.
• According to the statement, MM, suspected of belonging to Daesh (Islamic State) and of trafficking arms and explosives for the benefit of the organization, drove his vehicle towards soldiers from the army’s intelligence services, who were pursuing him. They then opened fire on him, killing him instantly, the statement adds.
• According to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the area, in response to the shooting, unidentified individuals fired at an army post in the village of Majdel, also located in Wadi Khaled, from the locality of Maajir in neighboring Syria, where some Lebanese reside.
• Separately in North Lebanon, unidentified individuals threw a sound grenade and fired several rounds during an iftar organized in Akkar al-Atika by the legislative elections candidate Ziad Rahal on Wednesday evening. A little earlier, residents had attacked the convoy of the region’s MP, Hadi Hobeiche, without causing any injuries.
• Security incidents, particularly in North Lebanon, have increased in recent days, amid a tense climate ahead of the legislative elections on May 15.