On 10 January 2015, nine people were killed and more than 30 wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowded café in Jabal Mohsen, Tripoli, Lebanon.[1]
| 2015 Tripoli, Lebanon bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon | |
| Location | Jabal Mohsen, Tripoli, Lebanon |
| Date | 10 January 2015 |
| Target | Alawite civilians |
Attack type | Suicide bombings |
| Deaths | 9 |
| Injured | More than 30 |
| Perpetrators | Nusra Front |
Events
editAfter the first explosion, the second suicide bomber approached the Abu Imran café. Before he could blow himself up, 60-year-old father of seven "Abu Ali" Issa Khaddour rushed and tackled the bomber, and prevented many deaths.[2] The wounded were taken to the hospital in Zgharta, as Jabal Mohsen residents were afraid that Sunni Islamist mobs would kill Alawite wounded if taken to a hospital in Tripoli.[3] The dead were buried on January 12.[4]
The al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group Nusra Front took responsibility for the attacks, which targeted members of the Alawite sect. It was the first suicide attack on a civilian neighbourhood in nearly a year, following a security sweep that temporarily calmed the Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen conflict between Sunnis and Alawites of Tripoli. Nusra claimed the attack was in revenge for the Syrian government's attacks on Sunnis in the Syrian civil war, and for a bombing of Sunni mosques that was blamed on Alawites.[5] The interior minister of Lebanon, Nohad Machnouk, said on January 11 that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[6]
Reaction
editThe US strongly condemned the attack.[7] On January 11, the Qalamoun branch of the Nusra Front threatened to conduct more attacks against Jabal Mohsen and Hezbollah.[8] On 10 April 2015, one of the men implicated in the bombings was killed by Lebanese security forces.[9]
A suicide bombing was also supposed to have taken place in another Jabal Mohsen café simultaneously with the 2015 Beirut bombings on November 12, but the supposed bomber was detained.[10]
References
edit- ^ "8 People Killed and 36 Injured in Jabal Mohsen's Explosion". Naharnet.
- ^ "Father of seven who died for his neighborhood". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Jabal Mohsen Residents Quietly Mourning After Tripoli Bombing". Al Akhbar English. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Jabal Mohsen bids farewell to fallen sons". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "North Lebanon suicide attack kills nine". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon.
- ^ Perry, Tom (11 January 2015). "Islamic State carried out Lebanon cafe attack - minister". Reuters. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "U.S. 'Strongly Condemns' Deadly Jabal Mohsen Bombing". Naharnet.
- ^ "Nusra to Hizbullah, Jabal Mohsen: We'll Strike You in Your Heartlands". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "Security Forces Arrest Hoblos, Kill Fugitives in Tripoli". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "Report: Possible Link between Tripoli Detainee and Bourj Barajneh Suicide Bombers". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.