Yesterday, terrorism hit the city of Choueifat on the outskirts of the southern suburb of Beirut.
Yesterday, terrorism hit the city of Choueifat on the outskirts of the southern suburb of Beirut. Yesterday the suicide bomber was not driving a booby-trapped car, he rather followed a different strategy, as he took a "van" which was supposed to pass through the Dahieh reaching Hamra street.
Did Ahmad Al-Assir make another strike? Do those who are still active in his group stand behind Choueifat's suicide explosion? Yesterday this question was asked in the security corridors after two suspects were arrested for being related to the suicide bomber who blew himself up inside Choueifat's van, and for being known as activists in groups related to Saida's escaped sheikh.
Security information have revealed that the suicide bomber was seen standing in front of "Gulf Mart" in Khaldeh, carrying a bag in his hand. Information have further indicated that the suicide bomber kept standing for around 15 minutes before getting into a Taxi cab driven by Salafist Sheikh A.G. A while after taking off, the sheikh dropped off the suicide bomber who took a van heading to Choueifat. After the explosion in Choueifat was heard, the taxi driver claimed that he was suspicious about the man so he dropped him, according to a security source.
The security apparatuses began their investigations, and the Information Branch arrested Sheikh A.G. along with his son and the two witnesses Ahmad N. and Mamdouh M. for investigations. However the key witnesses are Sheikh A.G. ad his cousin Z.G. as the latter is a well known arms dealer in the area which the suicide bomber took off from. Information also stated that Sheikh A.G. had previously traveled to Pakistan, while search is ongoing for Z.G. who disappeared.
Until yesterday, the security apparatuses were not able to specify the kind of relation between the sheikh and the suicide bomber. Security sources told Al-Akhbar that the sheikh either "has a direct relation with the suicide bomber, or he knows the side standing behind the latter, because he had received a phone call from someone asking him to drive the suicide bomber from Khaldeh to a specific spot in Choueifat.
Moreover, security sources presumed that the suicide bomber was heading to the southern suburb of Beirut where he was supposed to blow himself up. Information circulated about the van driver being suspicious about the suicide bomber which urged the latter to blow himself up. However, security sources assumed that the suicide bomber blew up the explosive belt by mistake.
The question about groups related to Assir's involvement is based on the Iranian Embassy explosions which were implemented by two supporters of Assir.
On another hand, sources close to "Al-Nusra Front" told Al-Akhbar that the suicide bomber who did the latest suicide attack in Hermel city was a Syrian citizen. Sources said he was known as "Abu Omar Al-Ansari", but they refused to reveal his real name, leaving this issue for "Al-Nusra" leadership. The same sources also stated that delaying the announcement about the identity of the last suicide bomber is for "security essentials".
