Three Killed in Hermel Suicide Explosion and Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon Claims Responsibility
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A suicide attack targeted al-Aytam petrol station in the Bekaa town of Hermel on Saturday evening, killing at least three people and wounding 20 others.
The attack was claimed by the Syrian al-Qaida-linked group, al-Nusra Front in Lebanon.
"An explosion was heard near al-Mabarrat school which is located in the main road at the entrance of Hermel,” the state-run National News Agency said.
Al-Mabarrat school, an orphanage in the Bekaa town, assured that all orphans at the institution are all alive and doing well.
Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil announced that three people were killed and 28 others were wounded in the blast.
Meanwhile, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told al-Manar television that at least four people were killed and more than 15 wounded, two or three of them in critical condition.
OTV said the four victims are Ibtissam al-Moussawi, Ali Alweh, Hassan Taha and a person whose family name in Fouani.
"We think it is a suicide attack," Charbel added.
He told LBCI television that a suicide bomber carried out the explosion using a Grand Cherokee car.
Later in the evening, the army confirmed that a suicide bomber blew himself up in a light grey colored Grand Cherokee vehicle.
"A military police unit and a number of experts arrived at the site of the explosion to inspect it and uncover the details behind the occurrence,” a communique released by the army said.
"Security forces have cordoned off the area.”
A statement released by a group called al-Nusra Front in Lebanon claimed responsibility for the attack.
"Amid the continuation of the crimes committed by Iran's party (Hizbullah) against our vulnerable people in beloved Syria, and amid its insistence on sending mercenaries to kill the Syrian people, we could only try to stop the party's massacres and respond in the same manner on its territories, hoping that this would make it reconsider its decisions,” a statement posted on the group's Twitter page said.
Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon said the attack was a “second suicide operation against a stronghold of Iran's party in Hermel.”
It reiterated its calls for “Sunnis in Lebanon to revolt against this oppressive junta.”
"Don't get frightened by its security aura because the party is weaker than it tries to show and these repetitive attacks on the same targets are proof of its fragility,” the statement added.
NNA described the last minutes leading to the explosion, saying a man driving a Grand Cherokee car approached al-Aytam petrol station, asking to fill up his vehicle with gas.
"He then blew himself up inside the car," it said.
The explosion, which took place around 6:00 pm after night had fallen, sparked a huge blaze that hindered the arrival of emergency services.
Al-Manar broadcast images of huge flames at the site of the attack.
“A total destruction was noticed at the site of the explosion and cars went up in flames. Blaze erupted in the petrol tanks of the neighboring gas station.”
A-Manar said efforts at the site of the explosion are now focused on searching for the bodies of any possible victims.
"Ambulance cars rushed to the site of the explosion as thick flames were seen,” radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) said.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr tasked concerned authorities to carry out the preliminary investigation and collect proofs and human remains from the scene of the explosion.
Meanwhile, Internal Security Forces called on citizens to allow ambulance vehicles and security forces to access the site of the explosion to ease the rescuing operations and the extinguishing of flames.
Relief forces in Hermel also urged citizens to stay away from the site of the explosion.
Following the attack, several roads were blocked in the Bekaa to protest the explosion.
"The Alaou clan blocked the road at the entrance of Hermel with burning tires after a family member was killed in today's explosion," LBCI said.
Saturday's blast comes less than a month after a car bombing also targeted Hermel, a Hizbullah stronghold, killing three person and wounding more than 26.
Meanwhile, at least four people were killed in a suicide bombing that rocked Beirut's southern suburbs also in January.
Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon had also claimed responsibility for both attacks.
That bombing was the fourth attack in Beirut's Dahieh neighborhood, also a Hizbullah bastion, since the party announced it was fighting in Syria.
As well as the Iranian embassy suicide attacks in November, the southern suburbs also suffered an August 15 bombing and a blast earlier the same month.
01 February 2014, 18:54
2321
Huh? Is that for real? Someone please remind us why the rat in the hole went to fight in Syria?
You reap what you sow
May the souls of innocent people killed, rest in peace
01 February 2014, 19:56
1119
momo, you are an Iranian mouthpiece… your terrorist militia "went" to Syria, to prop up the Butcher Assad and keep their arms rote open.
01 February 2014, 19:59
919
movaten
after 40 years of self inflicted wounds, Lebanon ended up with a generation of idiots with no sense of direction, with an affinity for self destructive behaviour.
And every idiot thinks he/she is an Einstein.
Lebanon has turned up to be a big asfourieh
01 February 2014, 20:33
819
And rather than neutering them, hee brought them to Lebanon. Now, he transformed Lebanon from a land of nusra (support) to land of Jihad. How many bombings like this we had before he entered SYria: only ones targeting m14. Thank you HA. Thank you Iran. Thank you stupid asses doing the bombings.
01 February 2014, 21:05
816
I believe him too! Imagine, these attacks would have been 10 times more if his hizb did not go fight alongside the sectarian regime in Syria. Ignorance is a bliss:(
01 February 2014, 21:18
815
It is amazing, the car bombs star in the Hizbullah controlled areas after Nasrallah makes his telecast speech declaring war on behalf of Assad and telling the other terrorist lets fight in Syria don't come to Lebanon… what a surprise the other terrorist did not follow Nasrallah's script… now momo tells us it would be "ten times" worse without Hizbullah's medaling?
01 February 2014, 21:42
714
mouse that was not a live statement… that is the Official pre-recorded statement of the Axis of Resistance.
02 February 2014, 03:43
84
my gold fish has more brains and logic than you ....but i believe you 3
01 February 2014, 19:21
1011
Lebanese from both camps have no business in going and fighting in Syria! Haven't they had enough since 1975? Always the innocent civilians pay the price - Sad
02 February 2014, 05:52
84
As part of the direct involvement of Syrian Regime in Lebanese politics, all fractions gave up their arms to defend their nation, everyone as they see it, Syria with Iran created Ghiz-Ebola started the training by Rev. Gaurds and Amal were Given 200 Tanks by ASSad the father. No competetion not even from the Lebanese army ... Many things happen in the Capital in both parts, Tripoli, Pal Camps .. all as direct orders to eliminate any party that will stop teir plan of control.
02 February 2014, 05:59
84
Few years later .. Amonster was created ... The Ghiz-Ebola. Involved in fights with Israel (2006) in Syria and God knows were. Now in 2013 .. we have crazy fanatics who where in Syrian Jails, are comming here for revenge .. both are violent and wrong.
Army should take over and take control of this party that is taking us to problems that we don't want to any one really, whether in Hermel or Tripoli.
01 February 2014, 19:33
1716
Do you look at yourself in the mirror or take a selfie when you write these wonderful comments?
01 February 2014, 19:47
00
only way aganst these people is like the US did after 911 ,the US took the war to the source
and the only way against these takfiries is to take the war to the source and destroy it and the source is where the money comes from
01 February 2014, 19:53
1016
josephani… you are the one with "disgusting and repulsive" comments, the one that insults peoples families. Are you bipolar?… you go back and forth from one Bs comment of "stop the insulting, rude" to insulting some ones parents.
01 February 2014, 20:31
914
Souther, Hizbullah is not a sect it is part of the Iranian guard and is recognize as a terrorist organization by a number of countries. And it is "your" militia because you spread its propaganda all day long. There were many groups that fought on behalf of Lebanon and Hizbullah had a hand in killing many of their members. Hizbullah's allegiance is to the so called Axis, consisting of Assad's regime, Iran and Hizbullah. when Assad's military was forced out of Lebanon by the people, it was Hizbullah that wanted them to stay. And it was no coincidence that it was the only militia that Assad kept armed.
01 February 2014, 20:33
00
So a suicide go bomb himself, I came to check it in about more details. Then I try to read a bit of comments to see what people thinks and I stopped.
This
Is
Disgusting.
Everyone thinks he's right because his sect/religion is right. Instead of holding hands together, you start blaming each other as if you weren't responsible, indirectly. Just a friendly reminder, you are Lebanese and this country belongs to you. If you think about yourself only, this country will never progress or maybe this situation will just be worse. Good day and RIP to all innocent souls.
01 February 2014, 20:34
816
Qabbani & Aoun… two of Hizbullah's flunky's… that is mighty impartial of you :-)))
01 February 2014, 20:38
1014
josephani, get off your high horse and go take your meds… no one is interested in your hypocritical lectures.
01 February 2014, 21:55
88
flamethrower, nothing beats your 5 star performance of last night on the aoun's article!
01 February 2014, 22:14
89
Flamethrower: Please, refrain from insulting your fellow posters on this forum. Using insults adds no value to your useless point of view. I am reluctant, but feel forced to vote you down for the first time ever!
01 February 2014, 21:39
99
HA brought this onto itself, its followers and all of Lebanon. Nobody supports this terrorist act whatsoever. If anything, it should tell HA that its war strategy in Syria is not working. Nobody can defend against suicide bombers NO-ONE. Look at Iraq 10 or 12 years after the U.S invasion. I honestly don't know what Nassrallah was smoking when he thought he could keep this dirty war within Syria's borders!
01 February 2014, 23:55
78
Dr. jaajaa, are you a disciple of Mr. snore? If you're scribble is some sort of second rate imitation of RFT, you are failing miserably. RFT's abduction comment was a masterpiece… your comments are more like hamster running across the keyboard.
01 February 2014, 22:33
99
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
02 February 2014, 04:27
95
shuf m3allmak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqWq5Z-vqBQ.
very nice crowd he has ...hmm dont u think
02 February 2014, 05:51
00
Only Sunni Muslims do this. It is lower than pathetic. Most of the people who comment on Naharnet are Sunnis who support Islamist positions. Don't you feel like you need a bath every time one of your brethren blows themselves up, killing women and children, as they dream of the virgins that they will have at their disposal in the afterlife. These disgusting slime are revolting and if you approve of them I would like to engage you in 1 to 1 combat for sport.
02 February 2014, 06:28
84
He isnot with Lebanese first...... Instead He is with Lebanese Forever.
02 February 2014, 06:31
73
During the 2006 war this was were Ghiz-Ebola hide ... some kind of Human-Shield
02 February 2014, 06:42
74
Remember, That this time whether you like it or not, You are involved with the PEOPLE, not a government that changes, you are involved with for ever with your neighbors that once put your pictures on walls (mistakenly) and helped you when you ran away to Syria, Remeber you are dealing with men and children that lost their brothers and sisters for no reason by hundreds of Ghiz-Ebola fighters spreading their hate crimes on any families they passed and towns under so many excuses where emptied and cleansed (for Assad's eyes). That is terror and that is the reason why what you call ( subhuman filthy ) are coming here. By the way the ones that provoced all this are aalso Subhuman and filthy... and both are not welcome.
02 February 2014, 08:12
35
+1 josephani.
Great post. You and I are often on the opposite ends of most issues. But that one time when we debated in a civil way we found mutual respect and common ground in our love for Lebanon. When we think Lebanon first, then many walls separating us will crumble down.
02 February 2014, 08:57
63
Harbor? no one should harbor any radical, one sided armed men that grow against their fellow citizens and become a threat to the government and take the whole nation as hostage.
So,Lep - Parrot, you're happy with what is going on with Ghez-Ebola and the low-humans tek-firi scums? They are now in control now instead of moderates whether shi3a or sunni?
02 February 2014, 14:50
00
What part of "All orphans at the school are doing well" don't you get? - read the article well, it says it's an orphanage.
