Vendors and shops along one of Tripoli city's streets. (Credit: Sandrine Frem)
BEIRUT — A personal dispute turned violent in Tripoli on Thursday, leaving one person critically injured, according to our correspondent in North Lebanon.
In the al-Qubba area of the city, a Syrian national identified as “A.Sh” opened fire from a military machine gun during a personal altercation with “B.B,” also known as Shakira, hitting him in the neck.
The shooter fled the scene, and the victim was rushed to Tripoli Governmental Hospital in critical condition.
The incident comes amid heightened security efforts in Tripoli. Under the direction of the Interior Minister and the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, police have recently implemented a comprehensive security plan for the month of Ramadan, March. The plan includes roadblocks, as well as the deployment of motorized and foot patrols.
These measures have been taken to "maintain order, limit the phenomenon of illegal weapons, combat theft, reinforce public order and facilitate traffic in the city," according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
In the past three days, 10 people carrying weapons without licenses have been arrested in North Lebanon. a security source told L'Orient Today.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, North Lebanon Governor Judge Ramzi Nohra chaired a meeting of a local Security Council in Tripoli, where officials discussed the "issue of controlling security and suppressing violations of all kinds in the North Governorate as well as the continued implementation of the security plan in the city of Tripoli and its vicinity," NNA reported. The meeting emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by security and military forces to maintain order, prevent gunfire and ensure swift action during the fasting month and holiday period.
The participants agreed to hold ongoing coordination meetings between security and military forces, focusing on organizing foot and armored patrols, as well as establishing fixed checkpoints on major and secondary streets and within residential neighborhoods. They also underscored the importance of arresting violators and imposing the strictest penalties, according to a statement issued after the meeting.
On Monday, one man was accidentally killed after being present at the scene of an armed clash in Beddawi, north of Tripoli in the Minyeh-Dinnieh district.
Since December 2022, following a series of security incidents, including fatal shootings, former Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced a specific security plan for northern Lebanon.
Police patrols were deployed in the streets for surveillance and control purposes. However, this plan has not prevented numerous incidents from occurring in Tripoli.