The Lebanese Army carried out raids and deployed military vehicles in Tripoli, North Lebanon, on Sept.17, 2022. (Credit: Photo supplied by Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army with the support of its air force carried out raids early Saturday morning on several places in various neighborhoods of Tripoli and Koura in North Lebanon, arresting in the process a number of wanted persons, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The army announced in a statement that the raids were carried out in Tripoli and some areas of Koura, specifically in Mazraat al-Khayl and its surroundings and al-Ru’a school in the Zaytoun Abu Samra locality, where many military vehicles were deployed while planes from the Lebanese Air Force flew at a very low altitude above the city.
As a result of the operations, the army said it arrested five people wanted for "theft, drug trafficking and counterfeit money," adding that "hunting weapons, hand grenades, a quantity of drugs and counterfeit money were confiscated." The army added that investigations into the detainees have commenced.
According to our correspondent in the region, the flyover of the region by the air force's Super Tucano planes caused panic among local residents in the early hours of the morning.
In a statement Saturday afternoon, MP Ashraf Rifi praised the efforts of the army and ISF in maintaining security and stability in the city of Tripoli, saying that "the recent field measures taken by army units and the security forces have restored stability to the city and put an end to theft and security tampering."
Deadly armed clashes have been on the rise in Lebanon’s north amid a deepening economic crisis in the country.
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced on Tuesday that a "sustainable" security plan had been devised for North Lebanon following two recent deadly shootings in Tripoli that raised fears of more violence. The Public Prosecution Office will “legitimize and facilitate [the ministry’s] work in implementing the security plan,” Mawlawi added, saying that security is not “a consensual matter, but is rather imposed" on the public. However, Mawlawi did not disclose any details on the new security plan to ensure “the safety of its implementation.”
On Sept. 9, clashes at a phone shop in Tripoli’s al-Tal neighborhood killed four people, including two brothers and the shop’s owner. Another person was left injured. The assailants reportedly used military-grade weapons. Meanwhile, another armed clash, reportedly between family members, also left one person dead on Monday in Tripoli's Abi Samra neighborhood.
Additional reporting by Michel Hallak.