12 Lebanese army personnel martyred, more than 50 wounded in clashes in Sidon

Twelve members of the Lebanese army were martyred and more than 50 others were wounded during clashes with gunmen affiliated with the salafi Ahmad al-Assir in Sidon city in Lebanon. Lebanese National News Agency said that fierce clashes continued last night as the Lebanese army was fighting close to the security square of al-Assir and faced a fierce attack by the gunmen who used shells and bombs. In a statement last night, the Lebanese Army said that ten members of the Lebanese army martyred including two offices and a sergeant. The army adopted all necessary measures to control the situation and arrest the gunmen. Earlier, the Lebanese Army Command said, in a statement, it would not remain silent “to what it has suffered militarily and politically and will continue its mission to crack down on strife in Sidon and other parts of the country. "The army will strike with a iron fist whoever thinks of shedding the blood of the Army and will respond to all those who protect them politically and at the media level,” the statement added. The statement pointed that an armed group affiliated with the salafi Ahmad al-Assir attacked a military checkpoint in Abra town in Sidon city, causing the martyrdom and the injury of a number of Lebanese soldiers including two officers as a number of vehicles were damaged.