2 Lebanese Soldiers Killed, 3 Wounded in Arsal Blast

Local Editor

Two Lebanese soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb that targeted an Army patrol unit in the northeastern region of Arsal in Lebanon on Friday, security sources told The Daily Star.

The explosion occurred as the unit made its way to Wadi Hmeid on the outskirts of the Arsal, near the border with Syria, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The two soldiers, Mohammad Daher and Ali al-Kharrat, died of wounds they sustained from the blast while three others, identified as Mahmoud Fadel, Yehya Mheish and Mohammad al-Baghrini, were wounded, the source said.

A source at the hospital in Arsal said that one of the wounded was in critical condition and had been transferred to another hospital. The other two are stable and remain in Arsal.

Meanwhile, soldiers quickly cordoned off the area of the explosion and have launched an investigation into the incident.

A Lebanese security source said that the cause of the explosion was a rocket propelled grenade that hit the Army vehicle, Reuters reported.

The Lebanese Army has attempted to beef up security in the northeastern region following last month's [August] clashes with militant gunmen.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team