BEIRUT: Six Lebanese soldiers were killed as the army clashed with Islamist gunmen in northern Lebanon for a second day yesterday, using helicopters to fire rockets in the first such air attack since the war in neighbouring Syria began.
Soldiers exchanged heavy fire with the gunmen in the city of Tripoli in the morning and moved in on their positions in the afternoon. Three soldiers were wounded in a nearby incident when gunmen opened fire on an army vehicle near the northern village of Bahneen, the sources said. One soldier later died from his wounds.
An officer was killed in another attack near the town of Al Minya, also in the north. The military used two helicopters to fire two rockets at militants in the area after the attack, security sources said. A third soldier died from wounds sustained in fighting on Friday. At least four militants and two civilians were also killed, and about 14 soldiers wounded, the sources said.
Gunmen also took one soldier captive in Tripoli as he was riding in a taxi, security sources said.
In statements published by the National News Agency, the army leadership said: “The pursuit of terrorist gunmen in Tripoli is continuing and will not be pulled back until after the terrorists are eliminated.” Reuters
