Lebanese soldiers during a drill in Kfar Falous, South Lebanon. (Credit: Twitter/@LebarmyOfficial)
BEIRUT — An ex-convict was seriously injured then arrested Sunday after an exchange of fire with the Lebanese Army as soldiers attempted to search his home in the al-Sharawneh neighborhood of Baalbeck in the Bekaa, an army spokesperson told L'Orient-Le Jour.
According to our correspondent in the area, the suspect, who is wanted on burglary allegations, fired at the soldiers during the search, prompting the army to return fire, seriously wounding him. He then fled with accomplices to the Dar al-Hekmeh hospital in the region, but the army succeeded in detaining him and put in place reinforced security measures on the nearby Baalbeck road, our correspondent added.
The Bekaa plain is often the scene of bloody clashes between rival clans, but also sometimes between the military and heavily armed gangs. The army has been actively searching for an ex-convict nicknamed Abu Salleh and his accomplices for several months, and has conducted numerous searches in al-Sharawneh neighborhood.
Reporting contributed by Sarah Abdallah.