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Soldiers Clash With Sunni Sheik’s Followers in Southern Lebanon Soldiers Clash With Sunni Sheik’s Followers in Southern Lebanon
(35 minutes later)
CAIRO — Clashes raged on Sunday in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon between the army and the followers of a hard-line Sunni Muslim sheik, leaving at least 12 people dead and paralyzing traffic on a main highway. BEIRUT, Lebanon — Clashes raged on Sunday in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon between the army and the followers of a hard-line Sunni Muslim sheik, paralyzing traffic on a main highway and leaving at least 12 people dead.
The violence on Sunday, which continued into the night, reflected how deeply the civil war in neighboring Syria has undermined security in Lebanon, many of whose citizens still carry bitter memories of their country’s own 15-year civil war. Sidon, a Mediterranean port, is a mostly Sunni city whose population largely sympathizes with the Sunni-led insurgency in Syria.The violence on Sunday, which continued into the night, reflected how deeply the civil war in neighboring Syria has undermined security in Lebanon, many of whose citizens still carry bitter memories of their country’s own 15-year civil war. Sidon, a Mediterranean port, is a mostly Sunni city whose population largely sympathizes with the Sunni-led insurgency in Syria.
The clashes in Sidon pitted the Lebanese Army against the armed followers of Sheik Ahmad al-Assir, who has earned national fame through a series of stunts in the news media and public calls for the disarming of the Shiite group Hezbollah, Lebanon’s strongest military force, which has been fighting in Syria on the side of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.The clashes in Sidon pitted the Lebanese Army against the armed followers of Sheik Ahmad al-Assir, who has earned national fame through a series of stunts in the news media and public calls for the disarming of the Shiite group Hezbollah, Lebanon’s strongest military force, which has been fighting in Syria on the side of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
While it is unclear how the clashes began Sunday, the army accused Sheik Assir’s gunmen of carrying out a “coldblooded” attack on an army position “in order to plunge Lebanon into another cycle of violence.”While it is unclear how the clashes began Sunday, the army accused Sheik Assir’s gunmen of carrying out a “coldblooded” attack on an army position “in order to plunge Lebanon into another cycle of violence.”
The army vowed to keep fighting.The army vowed to keep fighting.
“It will beat with an iron fist whomever sheds the blood of the army, and it will retaliate against everyone who provides a political or journalistic cover for those people,” the army said.“It will beat with an iron fist whomever sheds the blood of the army, and it will retaliate against everyone who provides a political or journalistic cover for those people,” the army said.
In a video posted online, Sheik Assir portrayed the fight against the army in sectarian terms, accusing it of association with Iran and Hezbollah.In a video posted online, Sheik Assir portrayed the fight against the army in sectarian terms, accusing it of association with Iran and Hezbollah.
“I call on all the peaceful supporters to go block roads, and on those Sunnis and non-Sunnis in the army to leave the army now!” said Sheik Assir, wearing a black bulletproof vest.“I call on all the peaceful supporters to go block roads, and on those Sunnis and non-Sunnis in the army to leave the army now!” said Sheik Assir, wearing a black bulletproof vest.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that 10 soldiers had been killed in the fighting and 35 wounded. Two Sunni gunmen were also killed, Reuters reported, citing security officials.Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that 10 soldiers had been killed in the fighting and 35 wounded. Two Sunni gunmen were also killed, Reuters reported, citing security officials.
Syria and Lebanon share a complex network of political and sectarian ties that are easily inflamed. Lebanon’s Sunnis have felt empowered by the uprising of their brethren in Syria and have been increasingly assertive in challenging Hezbollah.Syria and Lebanon share a complex network of political and sectarian ties that are easily inflamed. Lebanon’s Sunnis have felt empowered by the uprising of their brethren in Syria and have been increasingly assertive in challenging Hezbollah.

Ben Hubbard reported from Cairo, and Hania Mourtada from Beirut, Lebanon.

Ben Hubbard reported from Cairo, and Hania Mourtada from Beirut.