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LEBANON LAST NIGHT mourned 44 people killed in a Hezbollah bastion in south Beirut in a twin bombing claimed by the Islamic State group, the bloodiest such attack in years.
The Red Cross said at least 239 people were wounded, several in critical condition, in the blasts that hit a busy shopping street in Burj al-Barajneh, a neighbourhood where the Shiite Hezbollah movement allied to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is popular.
The attack harked back to a campaign against Hezbollah between 2013 and 2014, ostensibly in revenge for its military support of regime forces in neighbouring Syria’s civil war.
But it was the largest attack ever claimed by IS in Lebanon, and among the deadliest bombings to hit the country since the end of its 1975-1990 civil war.
Hundreds of people attended funerals after hospitals started to hand over the bodies of victims to their families.
One victim, Adel Tarmous, was hailed as a hero in the newspapers for having prevented a bomber from entering a Shiite place of worship.
Wrapped in Hezbollah’s yellow flag, he was buried in his native village of Talousa in south Lebanon near the border with Israel.
As Lebanon observed a day of national mourning, schools closed for the day and politicians across the fractured political spectrum condemned the attack.
The blasts ripped through a street market in the poor, mainly Shiite Muslim neighbourhood, staining the ground red with blood.
One witness told local television: “When the second blast went off, I thought the world had ended.”
The army initially said there were two suicide bombers and a third bomber who failed to detonate his explosive device was found at the scene.
‘Despicable act’
But IS gave a different version in a statement claiming responsibility for the attack that circulated online, and on Thursday Lebanese authorities said it was unclear if there had been three attackers or not.
IS said “soldiers of the Caliphate” first detonated explosives planted on a motorbike on the street.
“After the apostates gathered in the area, one of the knights of martyrdom detonated his explosive belt in the midst of them,” the statement added.
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It’s a weekly occurrence in the middle east,has been for years now. As soon as it hits western Europe people are saying they are shocked,how could this happen. It was inevitable and they’re will be more. Time to turn off the ol X factor and get clued in to what’s actually going on.
Don’t forget little Israel they have been fighting HAMAS Hezbollah ISIL and suiside bombers for years All they get in return from the EU is extra sanctions this week
“little Israel”…don’t make me laugh…they’re backed by America, a leading superpower…I think they’re ok!! Besides, one of the major grievances in the region for the last hundred years has been Palestinian statelessness…sorting that out would help with general stability in the region…Why don’t you get on to the Israeli’s and sort that out…
Islam is not the problem, hatred is the problem.
Hatred of Islam.
Little in the sense Israel is the size of Munster with 20% or 2 milion Muslims US gives more aid to Egypt and Jordan than it does to Israel I would guess most of the 2 million Muslims would prefer to live in a secular democracy like Israel than Egypt Syria or S Arabia
Isreal haven’t moved against isil while 5hey operate in the golan heights, they only move against hezbollah and assad which actually aides isil .
Islamaphobia is a bullshit word, and very helpful to islamists.
The far right who blame everything on just ” Islam” and the regressive left who deny any connecting between jihadist terrorism and Isam are both being bery helpful to the facist islamist ideology.
I hope you know how much they appreciate your efforts.
@. No room for cause and affect in your little ideology. Little israel made up of people from Ukraine and other Russian neighbors fleeing the pogroms. They stole palestine and have been brutaluising it’s inhabitants ever since. This causes peopke to get a little irate.
You seem to think Hizbollah and ISIS are the same thing. Which means not only did you not read the article, you didn’t even look at the pictures
How are Israel fighting IS, they are actually aiding them by bombing Assads army, only this week they were bombing SAA military sites near Damascus. Yet they have never bombed the islamists in Syria, they even control territory beside Israel’s border without fear of attack by Israel. Israel only cares about Hezbollah, who are heavily involved in defeating IS around Aleppo in recent days. IS are selling oil in Turkey and that country has an open borders policy towards Islamist terrorists. Some job America’s two biggest allies bordering Syria are doing in tackling IS, they are actually aiding them by their actions. Meanwhile that f*cking clown John Kerry is doing a news conference right now still going on about this imaginary Syrian opposition that aren’t Islamist and which controls barely any territory. Are the Yanks ever going to get it that getting rid of Assad isn’t going to solve the problem, although I think they know well but seemingly prefer religious rather than secular dictatorships. News coming through that one of the attackers passed through Greece in early October. Cheers mama Merkel! I urge people get onto their local FF/FG/ LP/SF representative as every party is advocating taking in thousands of Syrians, and as predicted IS fighters are coming with them.
Dot, Population size doesn’t matter, firepower does. It is interesting that the two countries you refer to (Jordan and Egypt) have been generally understood as being if not supporters of Israel – then at least – not enemies. Per capita – Israel gets more than Egypt and Jordan, and these countries get aid/assistance precisely because of their proximity to, and political support of Israel.
Israel: “The original 10-year agreement guaranteeing Israel $3.1 billion annually expires in 2017 and Israel has reportedly asked that it be extended and increased to as much as $5 billion.” http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/09/us-security-aid-to-israel-may-increase-to-5-billion-a-year.html
Egypt: 1.5 billion http://www.forbes.com/sites/charlestiefer/2015/04/07/us-military-aid-for-al-sisi-in-egypt-state-dept-fails-to-review/
And cumulatively Israel has received 124.3 billion since WWII – I wouldn’t say Egypt or Jordan got that!
Yes it happens every other week in the Middle East, people become immune to the news reports. No tragic event deserves more coverage than the other. Its not a competition. Its rare for it to happen in a western country and its why it gets more coverage. Westerners can relate more to other westerners, their ideology and way of life are so similar to each other. The ideology of those in the Middle East most cannot relate with. Its just the way it is.
Egypt and Jordon only get US aid since the Camp David peace agreement Jordans peace with Israel was a few years later. Both countries get several billions in aid
Palestinians and HAMAS should follow their example and make peace with Israel rather than wage Jihad again it.
Dot, Israel don’t want peace…they want all of the land…building settlements in land that doesn’t belong to you doesn’t bring peace…it brings war!
From the same Carlin who couldnt answer basic questions about land law and Israel’s clear right to all of it.
Newsflash Carlin, you cant steal land off a country that never existed!
They want all of the land because it is theirs! Simple as.
Palestine never was a country at any point or place in history. Ever. You cannot steal land from a country that never existed!
Michael, It’s not theirs…News flash Michael…Israel hadn’t existed for 2000 years before they began their colonial adventure in the early 20th century. The Jews made up a small number of the overwhelmingly Arab population. A holy book gives you a right to nothing!
There have been people living in the area of palestine/isreal for thousands and thousands of years dating back before the torah and the koran. You cannot just sweep an indiginous people aside in the way isreal are attempting without some kind of repurcussion .
The bizarrely low amount of views on this article says it all – similar events, both causing horrific, unnecessary death in two cities in the same time period: in Lebanon we’ve almost come to expect it, made our peace with the fact that it’ll happen regardless.
In France, however? How dare they attack our rich west?
Human lives are human lives. How many will you see on Facebook today with Lebanese flags over their profile photos?
Thought so.
It was only published a few minutes ago. And you know it.
Just one of the Paris articles here has 128,000 views. Do you suppose this one will be the same?
The incident happened on Thursday, and was reported in some Irish papers Fri. Just because it’s only just appeared on the journal doesn’t mean it’s breaking news, but rather highlights how the media reports, and how we this react, similar incidents in different ways.
I was following the #prayforlebanon hashtag on twitter all last night, so no it hasn’t just come to light. There was also suicide bombings in Baghdad. More innocent people. A bad day for the world altogether.
Spot on, Rob, but the simple truth is that we obviously identify more with the French. Both reprehensible events nonetheless.
It’s closer to home
That’s because hardly a day goes by without a Islam inspired terrorist event in some non western part of the world. Last Nov the death toll was 5000 from car bombs in Afghanistan to North African countries. It’s hardly news any more. However Islamic terrorism in the west by comparison is relatively rare.
I know why it is; I was pointing out that the difference shouldn’t exist, not asking for a primary school explanation as to why it does.
I was trying to qualify your point, Rob, not explain anything.
tmwtbc – not directed at you, apologies.
To be fair, my original comment was a bit simplistic
Well if you know the reason, why ask the question?
Zing Kieran, exactly my thoughts!
This confuses the bigots. They want you to believe its a war against All Islam. Muslims killing Muslims is not on their agenda.
Muslims killing people halfway around the world is not my concern. Muslims killing people on my country’s doorstep, with the intent of destroying my entire way of life is my concern. See the difference?
Exactly. The fact that last night’s attacks in Paris were in an area where a lot of Muslims live – and who are therefore likely to be among the victims – also doesn’t suit their agenda.
It does not confuse anyone. Anyone who has studied Wahabbi jihadists, know they see the Shia as apostates/infidels. Worse than Christians.
You might not think it’s a war, but they certainly do.
More sane people here finally!.. The comments on this would never be said if it wasn’t for anonymity the journal gives them.
@Tim – IrishG’s point is that these extremists also kill Muslims. That’s the difference for those who wish to ignore it.
Yeah sure Darcy. You just keep up the apologism. Sicko
Exactly these extremists would not kill a fellow Muslim. They attack western beliefs and religions.. Using religion as a tool and recruitment aid, they’re miles ahead of AL queda in terms of intelligence and force. These sicko want more attacks on Syria and in the middle east..
“Exactly these extremists would not kill a fellow Muslim” WTF?
They don’t set out deliberately to kill other Muslims.. Most of the western world don’t follow Islam. Heard of many attacks in Turkey for example??
Yes. One in July and one last month.
Turkey stands ccused by the Kurds of being pro-ISIS.
Supernova read the article ffs. You are making no sense in the face of facts.
Are you on the wrong article supernova? This one is about a suicide bombing in Lebanon, a predominantly Muslim country. And was there have been attacks in Turkey lately.
Yeah I just googled it.. I wasn’t aware before. *egg on face *
Don’t make fun of him. I think he just had a stroke.
At least you had the wherewithal to form that into a sentence Supernova. What about numbnutz that upvoted the bullzhit?
@IrishGravyTrain. Obviously this is awful when it happens in Lebanon as well as in Paris but it’s a problem that started in that part of the world and should be contained and dealt with there instead of the problem being spread all over the world creating new problems and making the original one unsolvable.
Yes they do, every f’ing day!
Haha Gravy train, it confuses no one, all it does is confirm what bloodthirsty animals they are and how we need to close the borders.
Its France, Muslims live in almost every corner of it! So your point males no sense
I’d like to see an article on how every Irish person woke up this morning with a PhD in International Relations and Geopolitics, has this phenomenon happened before I wonder?
Richard, another name for it is ‘keyboard warrior’
It’s rinse and repeat time Notthatguy, hashtags, temporary profile pictures, a few prayers and then back to Netflix by Tuesday.
If the media paid more attention to political contexts instead of focusing on the horror of individual events then this wouldn’t be the case. Last night’s horrific violence is symptomatic of the violence within particular political systems. It only appears unexpected because the media don’t overly concern themselves with any serious political analysis. Not sensational enough and no profit to be made in biting the hand that feeds you.
I’d be interested in what Kanye or the Carcrashians have to say about all of this.
Haha two guys with fake names talking about keyboard warriors!
Obviously you guys didn’t notice the irony in that no?!
The Irony is The Kurds are at the coal face of the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq..The Kurds are Muslims..So can people please take their head out of their arses and stop tarring all muslims with the same brush..its disgraceful..I remember not to long in the past the Irish people were percieved as being all terrorists cause of the troubles up North..
Not all Irish are in the IRA, but most IRA members are Irish
Considering less than 2% of terrorist attacks in the EU were religiously motivated, you’re slightly wide of the mark Source: http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/01/08/3609796/islamist-terrorism-europe/
Could you explain why thats ironic Harry?
I dont see it
“knights of martyrdom”, brainwashed by a chicken in hiding and funded by the Saudis.But lets not bring money and power into it.
Sure me car is probably full of Petrol manufactured from Saudi Oil..
How many mosques did they say they would build for the refugees, fleeing in the wrong direction?
These Sunni Muslim extremists despise and condemn all other branches of Islam. They particularly abhor Shia Islam who they regard as Apostates. Their cruelty knows no boundaries.
The authors must have been listening to Fisk on Newstalk earlier.
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