Abdullah Azzam Brigades Deny Targeting Civilians, Accuse Hizbullah of Using 'Human Shields'

The Qaida-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades stressed that its operations in Lebanon don't target innocent civilians, accusing Hizbullah of using "human shields."

The brigades said via twitter on Satruday that a flaw occurred during the attack on the Iranian cultural center in Beirut's southern suburbs, causing a high number of casualties.

"The double suicide car bombing, which was carried out by two young men, killed innocent passersby due to a flaw in the second explosion.”

It stressed the “sanctity of the blood of Muslims and non-combatants,” adding that it is keen to avoid inflicting damage in areas other than the target.

“The twin blasts were planned to take place in an area away from the road to safeguard passersby.”

The Brigades pointed out that it's engaged in a war with “the Iranian party,” saying that its “interests, military, security and political bases inside Lebanon and abroad will be targeted.”

“Hizbullah established its centers in populated areas to use them as human shields,” the group noted, warning civilians from approaching Hizbullah centers in all areas across the country.

At least four people were killed in the attack at the Iranian cultural center in Bir al-Hassan neighborhood that also wounded at least 100 others.

“Our operations don't target Shiites or other sects," the Brigades tweeted.

It pointed out that the Brigades “stress to Jihadists to be careful and to cancel the operation if it was going to harm other the main target.”

The group had previously claimed an attack against Iran's embassy in Beirut, located in a southern stronghold of the Tehran-backed Hizbullah.

Hizbullah is fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's troops against Sunni-led rebels.