‘Bleeding Across the Border’: Syria Crisis Reportedly Spilling Over Into Lebanon
- Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:14am by
Erica Ritz
- Print »
- Email »
(Photo: AP)
(The Blaze/AP) — Gunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns early Monday in intense street battles in the Lebanese capital, wounding six people as fears mounted that the conflict in neighboring Syria was bleeding across the border.
The fighting appeared to be among the worst clashes in Beirut since 2008, erupting hours after an anti-Syrian cleric and his bodyguard were shot dead in northern Lebanon.
Lebanon and Syria share a complex web of political and sectarian ties and rivalries, which are easily enflamed. Last week, clashes sparked by the Syrian crisis killed at least eight people and wounded dozens in the northern city of Tripoli.
The revolt in Syria began 15 months ago, and there are fears the unrest will lead to a regional conflagration that could draw in neighboring countries. The U.N. estimates the conflict has killed more than 9,000 people since March 2011.
(Photo: AP)
Sunday’s fighting in Beirut pitted pro- and anti-Syrian Sunni groups against one another, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene in the Mazraa district. Gunmen were roaming the streets and several roads were blocked.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said gunmen were using “bombs and machine guns” and that six people were wounded.
The apparent trigger for the fighting was the shooting death of Sunni cleric Sheik Ahmed Abdul-Wahid and his bodyguard in northern Lebanon. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear but the NNA said they appeared to have been killed by soldiers after their convoy failed to stop at an army checkpoint.
The Lebanese army issued a statement, saying it deeply regretted the incident and that a committee will investigate.
The fighting underscores how the bloodshed in Syria, where President Bashar Assad’s regime is cracking down on an uprising against his rule, is enflaming emotions in its tiny neighbor Lebanon. Lebanon has a fragile political faultline precisely over the issue of Syria.
(Photo: AP)
There is an array of diehard pro-Syrian Lebanese parties and politicians, as well as support for the regime on the street level. There is an equally deep hatred of Assad among other Lebanese who fear Damascus is still calling the shots here. The two sides are the legacy of Syria’s virtual rule over Lebanon from 1976 to 2005 and its continued influence since.
The fighting was the among the most intense fighting in Beirut since May 2008, when gunmen from the Shiite Hezbollah militant group swept through Sunni neighborhoods after the pro-Western government tried to dismantle the group’s telecommunications network.
More than 80 people were killed in the 2008 violence, pushing the country to the brink of civil war. Since then, Beirut in particular has endeavored to rebuild, and re-establish its reputation as the “Paris of the Middle East.”
It looks like they have quite an effort before them.
Comments (30)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 694 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 355 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 246 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:33am@fub
Those where the numbers as of 1996. No telling how many more since and in other countries.
Let me ask you a question. Islamic terrorists attack your town and kill your children (hopefully this never happens) what will you do? Will it drive you into a hole and you never come out of it or will you join up and fight against the people who attacked your children?
Now flip that around, we drop a bomb and kill kids. What is there dad going to do? We are creating more terrorist.
Report Post »happ77
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:03pmYou make a valid point however we haven’t dropped any
Report Post »bombs on Iran, Syria, Lebonon, Egypt, etc. What we need to do
is get energy self-suficeint, arm the christians and Jews to the teeth
and get the hell out of the Middle-east. Let them sort it out.
wkw58
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:27amThe sons of Ishmael….go figure.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:53amDidn’t some crazy guy predict unrest would cascade across the middle east? Crazy I tell you.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:15amEver since Alexander the Great’s Gernerals divided his Empire, c 333 bc… Syria & Egypt have Fluked with Lebanon & Israel!
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:56amAh, the joys of the Arab Spring part 2.
Report Post »calmandclear
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:42amBy all means let them kill each other. It will save Israel from having to do it when these people attack them again. People either want peace or they don’t want peace. It cannot be imposed on them from the outside. The assumption is that eventually people will tire of war and seek some sort of peace. Unfortunately that assumption is wrong. In the Middle East the fighting involves their religious beliefs and is sustained by their religious leaders. Very bad for all involved as it prevents compromise, to compromise is to go against one’s faith. In the past only a ruthless dictator could prevent this type of violence between the different factions. We have helped to get rid of the strongmen of the Middle East, the ruthless dictators who kept the peace, and have ushered in a period of turmoil and continued fighting. Freedom and democracy for an unprepared and ignorant people leads to chaos and misery. No, it is not true that things will eventually get better, sometimes they simply get a lot worse.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:20amWhen will it ever end?? God help us all!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:44amIt will end, when we quit being over there. When we quit electing presidents that say the want to help Israel but then give billions of dollars to Israel’s enemies. It will end when we elect a president that follows the Constitution. It will end when we elect a president that takes us out of the UN and we are no longer the global police force.
As usual, Romney and Obama are practically clones on this issue.
Both support foreign aid.
Report Post »Both support the UN.
Both support dropping bombs and using drones in countries we have not declared war on.
Both support us “stopping” Iran from getting a nuke, even though there is no evidence they are any where near being able to build a bomb and deploy it.
burnteye86
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:55amNo. It will end when Jesus comes back.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:07amWell we have no control over when Jesus comes. We can only do whats best for our country now.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:21amMutiny is a blame America firster. Whether we are in Syria (which we are not) or not , these nutjobs will kill. Why no protests by anyone about the Occupation of Lebanon, by Syria..? Mutiny is a DEMOCRAT plant, trying to get R‘s and Conservative’s to not vote for Mitt. Ignore the Alinsky blather of this dope..
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:10am@13th
You are a idiot. You cannot find one post I have ever made that is remotely liberal. I am a libertarian and believe in the Constitution.
Please explain from my above post where I am in anyway a democrat. I think the R and the D both are horrible and are destroying the United States. Please provide information showing us all where my above post was incorrect.
Report Post »trueamerican40
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:46amWhat can one expect? They preach hatred and practice violence on each other on a daily basis. Surprised this region hasn’t self-imploded into disintegration by now. I guess we’ll all see that real soon.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:20amWe should reduce to work the influence of Islam and those who promote it instead of appeasing their violence.
As islam is reduced the number of muslims is reduced and that leads to a reduction in jihad.
It is pretty simple. The enemy is clear cut. Muslims engaged in Jihad to spread Islam.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:42amThese people will never be peaceful. We should pull out of there, give no support and let them kill each other. Israel will wipe most of these people off the map solo if we allow them to protect themselves and quit giving money to their enemies.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:58amAgree! Why risk the lives of Americans for people who hate us?
Report Post »noczars
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:40pmI agree! Get our men and women out NOW! Especially after France told Obama they ARE pulling out all of their troops by 2013. That means Glenn was right, out Troops have been set up and will be left like sitting ducks. Obama cut back on our Military, so not only do our Troops not have the money needed, they will not have the backing of any other Country’s Military. Bring them home, let them enjoy their families. They will still be employed on OUR borders, i.e. Texas, Nevada,Florida, Alaska and any other States that has borders and yes even OWS anarchists.
Report Post »Bryan B
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:34am“It is good that war is such a terrible thing that we grow to fond of it.”
General Lee, Battle of Fredericksburg 13th December 1862
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:20amThis is what happens when we are sold fighting for peace and freedom. In 2001-2006 NATO killed 500,000 children in Iraq.
How many murderers is Obama and Hillary responsible for?
Report Post »Crazy Times
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:09am??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?.. Your lies are from sea to sea….
How many brain cells have died to spread your propagandic cause? much more than 500,000 I’m sure.
Go back out in the streets, at least that way, no one can hear your BS. While your out there, call your parents on your iphone and tell them you are sorry that you don’t have disipline in your heart.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:06amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4PgpbQfxgo
May 12th 1996
Madeleline Albright told that half a million children killed. She was asked if the price has been worth it. She responds the price has been worth it.
Maybe next time do a little research before you attack someones post. Oh and I will add this piece of information since SeatoSea is educating you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnhJwxYsomw&feature=related
Osama Bin Laden in 1998 declared war on the United States on ABC. His reasons for his future attacks on the United States were? For the United States to leave Saudi Arabia. Its in his own words.
Report Post »CoyoteDKM
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:27amAnd why was the US in Saudi Arabia making osama mad, Mutiny? To protect them from Iraq, because Saudi Arabia was next on Saddam’s list after Kuwait in 1991. After we kicked Saddam out of Kuwait, we stayed to protect Saudi Arabia because we needed their oil to keep our own nation’s economy from imploding, and we figured directly protecting Saudi Arabia was better than giving them weapons which they would have spread all over the region. Something they had already done before we were even there in places like Afghanistan. Taliban was created by Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, then they took over Afghanistan from there. You want us out completely, well, I doubt you’d be very happy of you got what you say you want. May as well shoot yourself in the head to save the planet, because in your mind we are the problem and no matter what we do to protect our own nation and its integrity, it is wrong with you. Sticking your head in the sand does not make problems go away. Ignoring the middle east will not make things magically better, because guess what? We didn’t make them that way. They were that way before the US even existed. They were that way on the seventh century when they were taking over the region at the tip of the sword, long before the crusades were a gleam in the pope’s eyes. They were born in blood. It is how they are. Face reality.
Report Post »CoyoteDKM
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:28amIf you want to blame something, Mutiny, blame Islam. This will never change as long as violent muslims rule the roost and kill non-violent muslims. Until they become tolerant, themselves, nothing changes. And America is not the root of their intolerance. The way they practice their religion is. Fact, like it or not.
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:02amWait. In 1996 she foresaw the 500k deaths in 2001-2006? We need to get that claivoyant hag back in the public service if she can do that. Is she any good with origami or balloon tricks?
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:29am@coy
After we saved Kuwait we had destroyed Iraq’s war making army. So to continue to stay there was pointless. I believe after what we did to Iraq no one would dare invade Saudi Arabia.
Coy you say that I blame the United States for the problems. Well I blame our government. Who do you blame for our debt? Who do you blame for our lack of energy independence? Who do you blame for the corruption in Washington? Do you blame the guy working at Wal Mart? No, you blame the left, right, lobbyists, and media. I mean Osama declares war on us, says why he is declaring war on one of our national tv stations and you people ignore it. You are acting like I made that video myself.
I do blame Islam. I think its is a wicked religion created by Satan to be a thorn in the side of all of the world. On the other hand though, if we used our own resources, didnt fund them, and didnt meddle in their affairs we would have saved many more American lives, not be completely in a money crisis, and our freedoms wouldnt be taken weekly for “our own good”.
Now we know how your plan and our governments plan has worked. Now think about my plan. Kuwait gets attacked, we invade Iraq, destroy their army, kill/capture Saddam the first time. We dont rebuild them and we make it known, you attack an ally of ours this is what will happen to you.
Which plan works out better for our money and American lives wise. Remember we wouldnt be in Saudi Arabia either. So maybe no 911
Report Post »Crazy Times
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:59amHogwash, that should be your name, Mutiny.
There are two types of Armies;
1) Armies that destroyes (i.e, China, Old Soviet Block, North Korea)
2) Ours, and the countries in NATO.
They are trying to break down NATO, because they are trying to discredit the U.S., just like my old friends who posted here.
I refuse to accept what these people say. WHY? they are the real uncompromising.
So with your 500,000 just simply add 40,000,000 and plus to all the communist countries…
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:39pm@crazy
What is hogwash in what I said? I posted a video in defense of what Sea said.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:19amOn the plus side, Syrians moving into Lebanon will increase property values, although Student scores will remain unchanged. The Syrians will have to take remedial Jihadist 101 and the ever popular Lebonese class “So you want to be a suicide Bomber?”
On a side note, a record number of Goats have showed up to the US Embassy, demanding political refugee status.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 5:14amThat was very funny, Darmok. I enjoy your posts. Lol.
Report Post »