Roads Blocked, Gunmen Deploy in Akkar over Release of Officers in Abdul Wahed Case

Three officers and eight soldiers linked to the death of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion were released from custody on Thursday.

Five soldiers however remain in detention. LBC television reported that they me be released next week.

The three officers include two captains and a lieutenant.

Meanwhile, security sources told Agence France Presse that “armed groups have deployed on several roads in the Akkar district.”

“These gunmen and other unarmed groups are blocking roads with burning tires and inspecting the passing cars,” the sources said.

The sources added that “heavy gunfire could be heard in several areas” in Akkar, noting that the reasons are still unknown.

The unrest is linked to “the release of three Lebanese army officers who were being interrogated over the death of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion,” the sources went on to say.

Earlier on Thursday, al-Jadeed television reported that gunmen deployed heavily in the Akkar town of al-Bireh, Abdul Wahed's hometown.

For its part, state-run National News Agency said Akkar residents blocked al-Bireh-al-Qoubaiyat road in protest against the decision to release the soldiers.

On May 20, Abdul Wahed and his companion, Mohammed Merheb, were killed at an army checkpoint on Kweikhat in the North as they were headed to a rally organized by MP Khaled al-Daher.

The death sparked outrage in the North as residents blocked the road with burning tires in protest.

On May 21, Military Tribunal Judge Saqr Saqr detained the three officers who were responsible for the Kweikhat checkpoint, as well as the 19 members of the checkpoint.