Wait, Caution Govern Sidon as Al-Aseer Continues Escaltion

Local Editor

Wait loomed in Sidon city following a tense night, particularly in the town of Abra, due to the systematic incident Sheikh Assem al-Arefi and supporters of Ahmad al-Aseer caused at a Lebanese Army checkpoint.

The incident threatened stability and security in Sidon following a warning by al-Aseer to take to the streets with arms, at a time where Islamic leaderships in Sidon sought initiatives between the LA in Sidon and al-Aseer to lessen tension in the security perimeter the latter established in Abra.

Sidon - the South's capital and hub of the resistance, now thrown in dangerous political and security games dictated by foreign and domestic forces - now suffers a skeptical image regarding its resisting history and a decrease in its economy for the first time in decades.

An economic study conducted by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Sidon and the South showed that the economic traffic has dwindled by 50% amidst projections of more declination if the al-Aseer phenomenon is not dealt with.
Amid events in Ain al-Helwe Camp and Ahmad al-Aseer's agendas, Sidon is subject to more political and security events and developments due to the strategic struggle on the identity of this city; between Islamic, national and resistance forces, and March 14 being dictated and funded by foreign capitals.
On this note, the incident that occurred on Tuesday in Sidon began when Sheikh Assem Arefi wanted to enter al-Aseer's perimeter in Abra. LA soldiers then checked his car license, which turned out to have a fake car plate.

The LA then attempted to apprehend the car, meanwhile a group of al-Aseer supporters smuggled al-Arefi to the "security perimeter". In the meantime, Al-Aseer called on his supporters in Sidon and Lebanon through social networks and text messages to be alert and protect the Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque, in which al-Aseer is the Imam of, and claimed that the LA is about to breach the "perimeter".

Al-Aseer, Daher, and al-Shahhal armed men blocked roads, assaulted citizens
Main roads in Beirut, al-Naamah, al-Abda, and al-Bekaa were blocked following al-Aseer's call to "alertness" as supporters gathered in al-Jdedeh road, Beirut.
In Tripoli, supporters of MP Khaled Daher blocked the national road in al-Abda square with cars for around an hour. Also, dozens of al-Aseer supporters, MP Khaled Daher, and preacher al-Shahhal chanted slogans for al-Aseer, blocking the national road connecting Akkar to Tripoli and the national road in al-Nour Square in Tripoli amidst armed men, cursing and assaulting citizens.

Source: al-Ahed News, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org