Lebanese Army Clashes with Hezbollah Supporters; 26 Arrested Following Attack on UNIFIL

Lebanese officials reported the arrest of 26 individuals following an attack on UN peacekeeping forces, UNIFIL. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army clashed with supporters of Hezbollah who gathered on the road leading to Beirut's airport after a call from the group. On Saturday, February 16, following Hezbollah's call for a gathering on the road leading to Rafik Hariri Airport in Beirut, the Lebanese Army engaged with the supporters of this Iranian-backed group and dispersed them. According to Reuters, army forces used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, and images have been shared on social media confirming this incident. Ahmad Hajjjar, Lebanon's Minister of Interior, reported after an emergency security meeting on Saturday that 26 individuals were arrested, with 25 detained by Lebanese army intelligence and one by security forces. He explained that the arrests do not imply that those individuals were directly involved in the attack on the UNIFIL convoy, adding, 'Investigations to find the perpetrators of this incident are ongoing, and the army and security forces will strengthen necessary measures to maintain security and stability.' Hajjjar stated that any violations would be dealt with seriously. Vehicles carrying UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, UNIFIL, marked with the organization's emblem, were violently attacked on Friday evening while en route to Beirut airport; one vehicle was set on fire, and two individuals were injured. Chouk Bahadur Dakal, a Nepali deputy commander of UNIFIL, who was returning to his country after completing his mission, was one of the injured. Candice Ardil, a spokesperson for UNIFIL, told AFP that another Nepali peacekeeper was also injured and taken to the hospital. Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, promised that the attackers would be punished. He also emphasized that Lebanese security forces would not tolerate any group attempting to disrupt the country's stability and peace. Nawaf Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, condemned the attack in a conversation with Janine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, and General Aruldo Lazaro, the Deputy Commander of UNIFIL, promising that the perpetrators would be apprehended. The Lebanese Presidential Office, in a statement quoting Joseph Aoun, declared that such incidents should not be repeated, and the Lebanese judiciary has begun its investigations in this regard. It remains unclear which group was responsible for the attack, but Hezbollah supporters had blocked the road leading to Rafik Hariri Airport for the second day on Friday. The Lebanese Army warned in a statement that the protesters, by attacking UNIFIL vehicles and also assaulting army forces, were attempting to block the airport road, and such actions could lead to 'internal tensions with severe consequences.' Videos shared on social media showed protesters, some of whom were masked and carrying Hezbollah flags, attacking a man in military uniform and another individual in civilian clothes near the UNIFIL vehicle that had been set on fire. Hezbollah has not yet made an official statement regarding the attack on the UNIFIL convoy and the burning of the vehicle, but the group's affiliated television network, Al-Manar, reported on Friday night that masked individuals were involved in the attack. Al-Manar added that the protesters expressed their opposition to the attack on the UNIFIL convoy, stating that their goal was to ensure the return of Lebanese citizens trapped in Iran. The Amal Movement, a Shia political organization in Lebanon and an ally of Hezbollah, led by Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Parliament, also condemned the incident, stating that the attack on UNIFIL is an attack on southern Lebanon, and blocking roads anywhere in the country is an act against internal peace. Several countries and UN officials, including Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General, condemned the attack, which resulted in injuries to two peacekeepers. UNIFIL emphasized that such attacks against peacekeeping forces are 'a clear violation of international law' and 'could constitute a war crime,' calling for a thorough and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and the prosecution of all perpetrators of the attack. The Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority announced on Thursday that some flights, including those from Iran, have been temporarily canceled until February 18 to implement additional security measures. This date coincides with the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the evacuation of Hezbollah positions in these areas, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement of November 27. An airport official, who wished to remain anonymous, previously told AFP that, following a directive from the Lebanese Ministry of Transport, the airline Mahan was informed that the permits for two of its flights to Beirut were canceled; these flights were scheduled for Thursday and Friday. In response, Iran prevented Lebanese planes from landing at Tehran airport. Hours before the news of Mahan's flight cancellations, the Israeli army announced that the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards was attempting to transfer money to Hezbollah in Lebanon using civilian flights.