Lebanon’s Hezbollah Condemns ISIL Terrorist Attack in Tripoli

The statement said that "Hezbollah strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the security forces in Tripoli on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, which confirms that these terrorist groups belonging to the Takfiri Wahhabi ideology and abolition, do not respect the sanctity of religion and morality or values, Only murder and bloodshed."

Four members of the army and the security forces were killed in an attack carried out by the former ISIL fighter Abderrahmane Mbassut on the eve of Eid al-Fitr in the northern city of Tripoli before detonating himself with an explosive belt, Al Manar network reported.

Hezbollah stressed "the necessity of solidarity and unity of the Lebanese in the face of this dangerous scourge," praising "the response of the security forces to this terrorist attack and to provide them in defense of the homeland and the protection of its security and stability a number of loyal soldiers."

In response to the Tripoli attack, Lebanese President Michel Aoun stressed that "confronting terrorism is a continuous task," calling for proactive measures to be carried out for this purpose saying the attacker was motivated by revenge against the Lebanese army and internal security forces.

The Lebanese Interior Minister Raya El Hassan also condemned the attack and said security forces were taking all precautions to prevent more violence.

“Tripoli today was supposed to be celebrating Eid Al Fitr but unfortunately people experienced a terrifying night,” she said on Tuesday. “The army paid a heavy price for protecting the city."

The gunman was identified by officials as Abdel Rahman Mabsout, who served a year in prison between 2016 and 2017 after returning from fighting with ISIL in Syria.

Mabsout fled Lebanon for Syria after his release.