BICOM

As many as sixteen Lebanese soldiers were killed yesterday in the port city of Sidon as fighting in neighbouring Syria appeared to further destabilise life in Lebanon.

Low-level violence occurred in Sidon last week between Sunni and Shi’ite fighters loyal to opposing sides in the Syrian civil war. Such loyalties have sharpened in Lebanon since Hezbollah actively provided military support to Syria’s President Assad over the last few weeks, spearheading the capture of Qusair. Although the Lebanese army appeared to have quelled tensions in Sidon, the situation erupted on Sunday when Lebanese troops attempted to apprehend a supporter of an influential local radical Sunni cleric, Ahmad al-Assir, whose gunmen apparently attacked an army checkpoint in response.

Fighting intensified yesterday as the Lebanese army which according to the Times was supported by Hezbollah fighters, battled to storm al-Assir’s compound in a local mosque. During the clashes, which lasted throughout the day, al-Assir apparently escaped but sixteen Lebanese soldiers were killed in the fighting and Reuters reports that twenty two bodies were pulled from the mosque complex after it had been captured. Yesterday’s fighting signalled the most significant Lebanese army involvement yet in the Sunni – Shi’ite clashes which have simmered over the past few months.

Unrest was also reported in the city of Tripoli and roads were blocked in the capital Beirut by militia loyal to both sides. Lebanon’s government declared that today would be a national day of mourning while a Lebanese army statement yesterday said that the fighting in Sidon had “gone beyond all expectations” and accused al-Assir of intending to ignite a civil war in Lebanon.

There was speculation that the UK could step up support for the Lebanese authorities. The UK Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher said via Twitter, “UK to accelerate & increase support to the Lebanese army: training and kit. More information to follow.”