A Lebanese soldier was killed and three others injured on Monday in an explosion in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district while they were carrying out a mine clearance operation. According to a statement from Lebanon’s military, the explosion occurred as a specialized army unit was conducting an engineering survey of a site in the region. The blast killed one soldier instantly and left three others with moderate injuries.
President Joseph Aoun confirmed that the soldiers had been dismantling mines and explosive materials in a tunnel when the explosion occurred. Aoun’s office released a statement, emphasizing the crucial role of the Lebanese army in maintaining state authority and stability in southern Lebanon.
The explosion came in the wake of a long-standing security challenge in the region, which has seen the presence of Hezbollah and other armed groups. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was passed in 2006 to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, has called for the disarmament of non-state armed groups and a deployment of Lebanese and UN forces to secure the southern border.
The resolution also mandated the dismantling of military infrastructure by Hezbollah in the south, with Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers tasked with maintaining security in the area. Aoun mentioned that Lebanese forces had already successfully dismantled tunnels and confiscated weapons without significant resistance from Hezbollah, but noted that full deployment of the army across southern Lebanon had not yet been achieved.
In the aftermath of the war, Israeli forces uncovered several Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon, further complicating security in the region. Despite this, there have been reports of some cooperation between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah regarding military positions in the south.
This attack serves as a reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by the Lebanese military as they continue efforts to ensure security and stability in the region, as well as their commitment to implementing the terms of Resolution 1701.
Sources By Agencies
