Qahwaji: Army Successfully Prevented the flow of Armed Men in Burj Abi Haidar Clashes

Local Editor

Army Chief Jean Qahwaji responded to the incitement campaigns that have been targeting the military organization after the Burj Abi Haidar clashes. He assured that the army preformed its duty and immediately interfered after the clashes took place.

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Qahwaji pointed out that his personal instructions to the officers were to shoot any armed man who does not surrender, adding that in a certain region the army clashed with a group of armed men who immediately ran away.

Moreover, Qahwaji said the army successfully surrounded the Burj Abi haidar area to prevent the flow of armed men from surrounding regions and limit the tension spot, assuring, "This is what actually stopped the conflict, not the political meetings that were held."

The Army Chief clarified, "The Army operations are still ongoing in that region, and so are the operations of tracking the ones involved."

He indicated, "Ten suspects have been arrested so far, and this case will be followed-up till the end."

Qahwaji pointed out, "Military operations inside cities are hard and many victims fall during, therefore, necessary military measures have been taken like deployment and concentration."

Responding to stances considering that the army did not perform its job perfectly, Qahwaji wandered, "Should soldiers and citizens die so that some would consider that the army is doing its job?"

The Army Chief indicated, "One should not blow on the fire and then demand the army to put it out," assuring, "By confronting the armed men, the army put down seditions and ended the clashes, and any other statement would be inaccurate."