3 army personnel fell during the clashes
Friday – 26 Rajab 1444 AH – 17 February 2023 AH
Beirut: «Asharq Al-Awsat»
The Lebanese army announced in a statement today (Friday) that it had arrested 12 wanted persons, including two Syrians, in the town of Hortala in the Bekaa Valley, east of Lebanon, during house raids that the army launched yesterday in search of wanted drug dealers in the town. Weapons and drugs were seized.
https://twitter.com/LebarmyOfficial/status/1626560958691790851
The army statement said: “In continuation of the raid operations that began on the 16th of February in the town of Hortala, the Bekaa, an army unit, with periodic support from the Intelligence Directorate, arrested 10 citizens and two Syrians.”
https://twitter.com/LebarmyOfficial/status/1626560958691790851
The army seized a quantity of drugs, a number of stolen cars, two RPG launchers, hand grenades, weapons and ammunition, military equipment, stolen license plates, and electronic and cellular devices.
https://twitter.com/LebarmyOfficial/status/1626561465413996544
The seized items were handed over, according to the statement, “an investigation has begun with the detainees under the supervision of the competent judiciary, and work is underway to arrest the rest of the gang members.”
The raids began yesterday, Thursday, and continued until following midnight, and included clashes that resulted in the death of three members of the Lebanese army, and the killing of three citizens among the shooters at the soldiers, who belong to a very dangerous gang that deals in drug trafficking and promotion.