Lebanese Army Clashes with Outlaws in Bekaa Region

Arab World

March 20th, 8:03am

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanese soldiers take cover behind their armored vehicle as they enter the Abra neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of Sidon, on June 24, 2013. (Joseph Eid/AFP)

The Lebanese army raided whereabouts of outlaws in the Bekaa town of Britel on Friday after which violent clashes erupted. Two wanted persons were killed while one soldier got injured during the operation. In a statement, the army said its forces raided the houses of a number of wanted persons accused of forming an armed cell, planning to steal cars and rob by force of arms, in addition to counterfeiting of currency and drugs trafficking. The army also arrested a person who had fled from the Baabda Justice Palace with several inmates late in 2020. Last November, more than 60 inmates escaped from Baabda prison, including five who later died in a car accident on a nearby road. Later, the Internal Security Forces said that several of them have been arrested while others turned themselves in. Britel, which is close to Syria, has been linked to criminals and drug dealers.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2870781/lebanese-army-clashes-outlaws-bekaa-region