Two Suicide Bombings in Tripoli, Lebanon Leave at Least Seven Dead

In two suicide bombings at a cafe in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon on Saturday, January 10, at least seven people were killed and more than twenty were injured. According to Reuters, the attacks occurred in the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood, which is predominantly inhabited by Alawites. Meanwhile, the official Lebanese news agency reports that the attack was carried out by two suicide bombers, and has published the names of the two individuals involved, noting that they are residents of Tripoli. While Lebanese hospital sources state that seven people were killed in the blasts, security sources in the country claim that nine people died in the attacks. According to the report, the Lebanese army has established a presence in the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood and has declared a curfew until 7 AM on Sunday. The Sunni-majority city of Tripoli witnessed severe clashes between Sunni Islamist forces and the army last November, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 Lebanese soldiers and 22 militants. Lebanese security officials have warned about the activities of groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda aimed at destabilizing security in Lebanon since the onset of the Syrian civil war. In August of last year, Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants attacked the border town of Arsal, taking at least 26 Lebanese security forces hostage. Lebanon shares a border with Syria, and its border areas and some cities have been the scene of sporadic clashes involving numerous parties in the Syrian war, resulting in many casualties. In this context, Lebanon has restricted the entry of Syrian citizens.