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2015 Tripoli, Lebanon bombings

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2015 Tripoli, Lebanon bombings
Part of Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon
LocationJabal Mohsen, Tripoli, Lebanon
Date10 January 2015
TargetAlawite civilians
Attack type
Suicide bombings
Deaths9
InjuredMore than 30
PerpetratorsNusra Front

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]

Events

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After 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

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The 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

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  1. ^ "8 People Killed and 36 Injured in Jabal Mohsen's Explosion". Naharnet.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Jabal Mohsen Residents Quietly Mourning After Tripoli Bombing". Al Akhbar English. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Jabal Mohsen bids farewell to fallen sons". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  5. ^ "North Lebanon suicide attack kills nine". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon.
  6. ^ Perry, Tom (11 January 2015). "Islamic State carried out Lebanon cafe attack - minister". Reuters. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. 'Strongly Condemns' Deadly Jabal Mohsen Bombing". Naharnet.
  8. ^ "Nusra to Hizbullah, Jabal Mohsen: We'll Strike You in Your Heartlands". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Security Forces Arrest Hoblos, Kill Fugitives in Tripoli". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Report: Possible Link between Tripoli Detainee and Bourj Barajneh Suicide Bombers". Naharnet. Retrieved 29 May 2016.