July 2013 Beirut bombing

On July 9th, 2013 the southern suburb of Beirut, Bir el-Abed was hit by a car bomb. The bombing injured at least 53 people, as it was close to a supermarket which was heavily packed in preparation for Ramadan, but fortunately did not claim any lives.

About:

Speculations:

Although no one has step forth and took responsibility for the bombing, there are a few speculations as to what political party was responsible for this tragedy. Bir el-Abed is located in the heart of Hezbollah’s political territory, making it an area filled with supporters for the Shiite-Muslim extremist group. This attack to their territory caused many angry, and grieving Shiite Muslims to place blame on the Lebanese or Syrian militants who are in support of the Sunni-led uprising in the neighboring country of Syria. The possibility the war in Syria will soon become that of Lebanon’s is one that much of the population fears. Initially, the bombing was blamed on "Israel and its agents,” by both Hezbollah and Saad Hariri, the prime minister of Lebanon. However, many speculate that this was done to keep the Sunni-Shia peace at a time of Sunni anger with Hezbollah for its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hezbollah supporters feared that they would be attacked for their groups’ intervention in Syria.

Aftermath:

The people of Lebanon were met with a cloud of black smoke as they prepared to celebrate Ramadan, a religious holiday. This bombing prompted chaos in Lebanon, as people rushed to the streets to portray their anger and grief. Hezbollah supporters flood the streets and began chanting, booing, and charging the vehicle of Marwan Charbel, Lebanon’s interior minister, drove up. The Hezbollah supporters expressed themselves through Shiite slogans, insults, and degrading Sunni religious symbols. The chaos ensued for several hours after the bombing, until the people returned to their daily lives as this bombing did not compare to the wars they have previously lived through.

The bombing was later claimed by a brigade of the Free Syrian Army[1] while a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army denied any implication in the bombing.[6] A month later on 15 August 2013, another car bomb exploded in the same district, this time killing twenty seven people and injuring over 200.[2]