A Lebanese soldier was killed and another injured Saturday morning during an ambush in the Hermel area, east of Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).
The Lebanese Army Command's Orientation Directorate issued a statement indicating that the soldiers were heading to Hermel to visit people when their car was shot at in al-Shawagher-Hermel area, which resulted in the martyrdom of one of the soldiers, Corporal Ayman Mohamed from Wadi Khaled.
Army personnel have been deployed in the area and are conducting investigations in search of the killers.
“The army units deployed in the area are currently conducting their search operations to track down and arrest the perpetrators,” the Directorate added.
According to the NNA, the shots were fired from an unlicensed BMW car and the soldiers were wearing civilian clothing.
The injured soldier was taken to al-Assi hospital by a Red Cross ambulance.
The incident sparked a wave of widespread condemnation among Lebanese officials and citizens.
MP Tariq al-Marabi issued a statement denouncing the attack on the army and supporting the martyr’s family, extending his warmest condolences and wishing a speedy recovery for his companion, Hussein al-Sheikh. Marabi demanded the authorities hold the aggressors accountable for their crime.
MP Hadi Hobeish also condemned the incident with the deepest regret saying that Akkar has always paid the price for lack of security in some Lebanese regions. He wished the army’s leadership uncover the circumstances of the incident quickly.
Lawmaker Walid al-Baarini condemned the assault on the army in al-Shawagher-Hermel area, and expressed his regret for the recurrence of such incidents. He considered tampering with the security of the military institution a dangerous issue, stressing that perpetrators must be held accountable for this crime.
MP Mohamed Soleiman also issued a statement denouncing the attack on the army in Hermel. He said the army came under attack threatening its security by criminals.
