Cautious calm returned to al-Aqbiyeh following a clash between Lebanese citizens and Syrians triggered by catcalling. Tensions included road blockades and gunfire, with Lebanese burning Syrian tents. The unrest follows previous violence in Tripoli related to the ongoing sectarian conflict in Syria.
On Monday, the southern coastal town of al-Aqbiyeh experienced a state of cautious calm following a recent clash between Lebanese citizens and Syrian nationals. The National News Agency reported that the altercation began when a group of Syrian young men made inappropriate comments towards a young Lebanese woman from al-Bissariyeh. This provoked a series of verbal confrontations and the blockage of local roads.
Video footage shared online depicted Lebanese individuals setting fire to tents occupied by Syrians, highlighting the intensity of the situation. Additionally, reports indicated that gunfire was exchanged during the confrontations, further escalating tensions in the area.
This incident occurred after the army had previously managed to stabilize the situation in the northern city of Tripoli, where an Alawite man was said to have stabbed a Syrian minor. The unrest is indicative of the troubling sectarian violence that has been prevalent in the region, especially considering the ongoing bloodshed in Syria, where over 1,000 individuals have lost their lives in the Alawite heartland.
The recent clash in al-Aqbiyeh underscores the fragile state of relations between Lebanese and Syrians, exacerbated by ongoing sectarian tensions. With recent violence in Tripoli and the escalating bloodshed in neighboring Syria, it is imperative that measures be taken to foster peace and resolve underlying issues to prevent further violence.
Original Source: www.naharnet.com
