Screenshot of the coverage on Almanar News. (Photo courtesy of Elie Wehbe/Twitter)
Lebanon (MNN) — A car bomb exploded yesterday at a Lebanese stronghold for the Shia militant group Hezbollah in Beirut.
53 people were injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil. Fatalities haven’t been reported yet, but it’s feared that several were killed.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Lebanon’s neighboring Syrian rebels have threatened to target Hezbollah in the past. The rebels weren’t happy when Hezbollah sent troops to intervene in the sectarian violence and support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The area of the blast is a commercial and residential site swelling with people. Windows
shattered, and other cars were wrapped in flames as a result of the explosion.
The car bombing smoke had barely cleared before nearly 100 angry Hezbollah supporters flooded the area holding signs and shouting, “The Shiite blood is boiling,” according to USA Today.
Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims mostly support the Syrian rebels while Shia Muslims in Lebanon back Assad. Escalating tensions between the Sunni and Shia have become more common–almost reminiscent of Lebanon’s civil war days.
Lebanon Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said this attack was meant to create a divide between Sunni and Shia but that it would not succeed.
The affects of the bomb about 150 m from the site. (Photo courtesy of Alex Rowell/Twitter)
This marks the second major act of violence this year. Two rockets struck the south Beirut stronghold for Hezbollah earlier in May.
SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, posted about the bombing on their Facebook page saying, “Please join us in praying for those affected by today’s car bombing near Beirut, Lebanon. SAT-7 staff members are safe, and the studio is secure.”
In the midst of sectarian tension, SAT-7 seeks to communicate the peace and truth of Jesus Christ to the Lebanese society. SAT-7 ARABIC attracts teens and adults with dynamic programs engaging contemporary topics with a Christian worldview. Their studios in Lebanon and Egypt make up 75% of the shows airing on SAT-7 ARABIC. It brings the Gospel message to around 8.5 million people.
