Salafists clash with security forces in S Lebanon, 4 soldiers killed

At least, four soldiers have been so far killed and seven others injured in clashes between Salafists and Lebanon security forces in the southern city of Sidon.

Lebanese security sources say the supporters of Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir attacked a military checkpoint in Sidon, on Sunday.

The military checkpoint is reportedly located on the main road to Abra, near the Bilal bin Rabah.

Lebanon has deployed army forces to control the situation and restore calm to the area.

On Tuesday, June 18, clashes initiated by the Salafists in the same town left at least one civilian dead, and many others wounded.

On Wednesday, Lebanese security sources said two rockets fired from Syrian territory hit a Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa region.

Foreign-backed Takfiri militants fighting in Syria have been blamed for a number of rocket attacks along the Lebanese border.

Although Lebanon’s government has officially adopted a position of neutrality over the situation in neighboring Syria, Salafists who support Takfiri extremists in Syria continue to attack people across the border.

Syria has been gripped by turmoil since March 2011 and the foreign-sponsored militancy has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel.

Several international human rights organizations have accused militants operating in Syria of committing war crimes.