Latest news with #Sidon
Asharq Al-Awsat
12 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Resumes Airstrikes North of Litani Amid Hezbollah Disarmament Talks
Israel has resumed heavy airstrikes north of the Litani river amid discussions among Lebanese leaders on a possible agreement to disarm Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun met on Friday with Speaker Nabih Berri at the Baabda Palace. Berri described the talks as "excellent' without giving further details. Aoun also held Friday a security meeting with the Minister of Defense, the Army Commander, and the Intelligence chief to discuss the security situation in the country, mainly in south Lebanon as Israel continues to carry out attacks that hinder the deployment of the Lebanese army. The officials also discussed the disarmament of Palestinian camps in Lebanon, which are set to start in mid-June in three Beirut camps. For the first time in three weeks, Israel carried out more than a dozen airstrikes overnight Thursday to Friday in south and east Lebanon, in areas lying north of the Litani river. The Israeli army said it targeted 'several military sites and terrorist infrastructure belonging to ... Hezbollah across Lebanon.' 'Among the targets was terrorist infrastructure containing combat equipment in the Sidon area, which had recently witnessed Hezbollah attempts to rebuild after it had been bombed in the past,' the Israeli army said. It added that Israel will 'continue to operate to eliminate any threat' and 'prevent any attempt by ... Hezbollah to establish itself.' The escalation came as Lebanese officials hold talks to limit illegitimate arms to state control, an issue that is set to be discussed by US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who is set to visit Beirut next week. Development and Liberation bloc MP Michel Moussa told a local radio station that the authorities haven't been informed yet about the timing of the visit or the agenda of her meetings. 'Ortagus is scheduled to follow up on discussions on major issues such as the implementation of Resolution 1701, reforms and the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate by the UN Security Council next August,' Moussa said.
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
Israeli airstrikes kill two, hit southern Lebanon towns in escalation beyond ceasefire lines
ALBAWABA- Israeli forces launched a wave of intense airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring others, in what observers say marks a significant escalation and violation of existing ceasefire understandings. According to Lebanon's National News Agency and local outlet Lebanon 24, the strikes hit multiple locations, including Bnaafoul in the Sidon district, Houmine al-Tahta, and the surrounding areas southeast of Sidon. At least six Israeli strikes lit up the skies overnight, targeting Hezbollah arms depots and key border crossings with Syria. The bombardment extended across Jezzine, Marjeyoun, al-Bissariyeh, and Berghoz, including areas north of the Litani River, a red line in the ceasefire agreement established after the 2006 war. Israeli Army Radio reported that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initially called on the Lebanese Army to intervene before launching the strikes. When no response came, air raids commenced. Low-flying Israeli warplanes and drones were spotted across several areas in southern Lebanon, amid rising fears of further escalation along the volatile Lebanon-Israel border.
LBCI
3 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Armed factions in Ain al-Hilweh complicate disarmament efforts amid deep-rooted militant presence
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Looking at the map of Ain al-Hilweh camp's neighborhoods and the distribution of Palestinian factions' influence illustrates the complexity any disarmament plan will face. The largest of the 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and considered the symbolic capital of the Palestinian diaspora in the country, Ain al-Hilweh sits in the heart of the city of Sidon. Control over its neighborhoods is divided among several armed groups, including Fatah, Osbat al-Ansar, Hamas, various hardline factions, and others. Influence overlaps within individual neighborhoods and even among the camp's narrow alleyways. The camp contains a range of medium and heavy weapons. One of the most complex issues is the presence of extremist groups affiliated with the Islamic State group, Al-Nusra Front, and Fatah al-Islam — including the Bilal Badr group. These groups include Lebanese, Palestinians, and individuals of other nationalities. Hamas may play a key role in potential negotiations. However, due to internal Palestinian divisions, it remains too early to determine how this dilemma might be resolved. These groups have contributed to the destruction of parts of the camp. However, past experience suggests Lebanese security forces are capable of dealing with them — especially with Palestinian cooperation. Following the assassination of the Palestinian National Security chief in Sidon, Maj. Gen. Abu Ashraf al-Armoushi, in July 2023 and the fighting that ensued, Lebanese army intelligence — using surveillance cameras, engineering maps, and the testimony of a wounded individual — identified and arrested members of Bilal Badr's group of 14, which was responsible for the killing. The situation in the camp presents a serious obstacle to any disarmament plan. More importantly, it has become a humanitarian disaster for both the Palestinians and the residents of Sidon. Between July 29 and September 14, 2023, the fighting killed 28 people and wounded 233 others while destroying large swaths of public and private property in both the camp and the city. Thousands were displaced, adding to the hardship faced by Ain al-Hilweh's residents. In the end, Palestinian weapons in Lebanon's largest camp have been used primarily to kill Palestinians and Lebanese and to destroy the camp itself. All of this underscores the urgent need to end the dominance of armed groups in Ain al-Hilweh and to ensure the safety and stability of its residents, both socially and in terms of security.
LBCI
6 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon announces 2025 municipal election results for Sidon
Lebanon's Ministry of Interior has released the 2025 municipal and mukhtar election results for the Sidon district. Click here to view the results.
LBCI
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Army Chief visits South Lebanon to oversee election security measures
Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal inspected the central operations room for South Lebanon at Mohammad Zgheib military base in Sidon, where he was briefed on the security measures implemented by deployed military units to ensure the safety of the ongoing municipal elections. He also visited the headquarters of the Fifth Infantry Brigade in Biyyadah, where he received an update on the deployment in the brigade's area of operations and the measures in place to accompany the electoral process. General Haykal stressed the critical importance of the elections taking place amid the country's current exceptional challenges. He said the success of the elections reflects the people of South Lebanon's strong attachment to their land, and that the army's presence is a key source of reassurance and resilience for them. 'Our message is clear: the army stands firmly by the Lebanese people. The Israeli enemy, which continues to violate Lebanon's sovereignty and occupy part of its territory, will not deter the military institution from fulfilling its duties in full,' Haykal said. Addressing the troops, he added: 'The army is a guarantor of stability, and the security institutions are one of the pillars of the state. The Lebanese people look to you to safeguard their future—live up to their trust and expectations.'
