New Tripoli Clashes Mar Stage-Two of Security Plan

Clashes flared up Saturday evening between gunmen and a security checkpoint in the Old Saraya vicinity in Tripoli, marring stage-two of a security plan that was launched just today by interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

“Gunshots were heard and it was found that clashes erupted in the Old Saraya locality between gunmen and an Internal Security Forces checkpoint,” the state-run National News Agency said.

Later in the evening, LBCI said that sniper fire was heard in Syria street and that a bomb was tossed on the Al-Nasseri Mosque.

Moreover, sniper gunshots were heard in Bab al-Tabbaneh, and two bombs were thrown on Tripoli's internal market, al-Jadeed TV reported.

Tension spiked in the old internal markets with the continued exchange of fire between the ISF and armed men who threw a number of grenades in the vicinity of the market. No injuries were reported.

It was just today that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel launched stage-two of a security plan to be implemented in the inflamed city of Tripoli that has been witnessing frequent Syria-linked battles, that pits Sunnis from Bab al-Tabbaneh against Alawites in Jabal Mohsen.

Most Sunnis support Syria's revolt against President Bashar Assad, while Alawites, who belong to the same Shiite-offshoot sect as Assad, support his regime.

Tripoli suffered horrific car bomb explosions near two mosques in August, killing 45 people.