Lebanese Army statement on al-Kahaleh situation, other condemnations
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The Lebanese Patriotic and National Parties Congress condemns the attack by militants of some militias on a Resistance truck in Al-Kahaleh.
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Lebanese soldiers stand guard next to an overturned truck, right, in the Christian town of Kahaleh, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. (AP)
The Lebanese Army commented on the accident of a truck overturning on the Al-Kahaleh roads, in the Aley region in Mount Lebanon Governorate on Wednesday, and its subsequent attack by some militias, which led to the martyrdom of Hezbollah member Ahmed Ali Qassas.
The statement, which was posted on the army's official page, noted that a clash took place between the escorts of the truck that was "carrying ammunition, and the people of al-Kahaleh, which resulted in two deaths," adding that an army force arrived on-site "and worked to contain the problem, and the truck's load was transferred to a military center, while an investigation was launched under the supervision of the relevant judiciary."
Moreover, the Lebanese Army added that "on 8/10/2023 at four o'clock in the morning, the army lifted the truck and opened the road in both directions, while other army members continued to monitor the situation and take appropriate security measures."
بتاريخ ٩ / ٨ /٢٠٢٣، لدى انقلاب شاحنة تحمل ذخائر على طريق عام الكحالة، حصل إشكال بين مرافقي الشاحنة والأهالي ما أدى إلى سقوط قتيلين. وقد حضرت قوة من الجيش إلى المكان وعملت على تطويق الإشكال، وتم نقل حمولة الشاحنة إلى أحد المراكز العسكرية، وبوشر التحقيق بإشراف القضاء المختص. ٢/١ pic.twitter.com/ehvk5OWAat
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) August 10, 2023
In the same context, the Lebanese Patriotic and National Parties' Congress condemned the attack by armed men on a Resistance truck, which led to the martyrdom of Ahmed Al-Qassas and the death of a member of the aggressor group as a result of responding to the sources of fire in self-defense.
The statement noted that "The aggression offers a free service to the Israeli occupation, because it targets the Resistance," which protects Lebanon and its wealth, and "deters the Israeli enemy from engaging in any aggression against Lebanon through the Resistance-imposed deterrence equation, which forced the enemy to recognize Lebanon's right to its maritime wealth."
Moreover, the statement added that "the armed attack carried out by criminal elements of some militias previously known to have collaborated with the Zionist enemy confirms that they continue to operate in accordance with an external agenda that is contrary to Lebanon's interest, stability and security."
The statement also condemned "the suspicious inflammatory rhetoric practiced by some well-paid and well-known media, threatens national interest in service of their financial, sectarian and factional interests."
In conclusion, the statement clearly noted that the Resistance and the deterrence equation it has established against "Israel" are the guarantees for Lebanon to overcome "its economic and financial crises by protecting gas and oil."
Hezbollah member protecting Resistance-owned truck killed by militants
Hezbollah issued a statement on Wednesday clarifying the nature of what occurred at the al-Kahaleh road in the Aley region in Mount Lebanon Governorate.
According to the Lebanese Resistance party, while one of its trucks was on its way to Beirut coming from Bekaa, the vehicle overturned on the road in the Kahaleh area, east of Beirut.
While personnel involved with delivering the truck were making phone calls requesting assistance to get it back on the road so that it continues to its designated destination, a number of armed individuals from the militias in the region gathered and attacked the Resistance members in an attempt to seize the truck.
Hezbollah's statement continued, "The gunmen first started throwing stones [at the vehicle's personnel] and then opened fire, which resulted in the injury of one of our brothers charged with guarding the truck, and he was martyred shortly after reaching the hospital."
مِنَ الْمؤمِنينَ رجالٌ صَدَقُوا ما عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيهِ فَمِنهُم من قَضى نَحبَهُ وَمِنهُم مَن يَنتَظِر وما بدَّلُوا تَبديلا
— الإعلام الحربي في المقاومة الإسلامية (@mmirLB) August 9, 2023
بمزيد من الفخر والإعتزاز، تزف المقاومة الإسلامية الشهيد المجاهد أحمد علي قصاص "محمد علي" من بلدة يونين البقاعية، والذي ارتقى أثناء قيامه بواجبه الجهادي pic.twitter.com/PziiT6Tf8g
Footage circulating on social media revealed that an armed militant initiated the fire exchange by shooting at the Hezbollah member who was later martyred.
"An exchange of fire with the attacking [militants] took place, after which a force from the Lebanese army intervened and prevented these gunmen from approaching or seizing the truck," the statement continued.
The party concluded that "contacts are still underway to address the issue."
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