Massive Explosions In Beirut Kill At Least 80, Injure Thousands; Widespread Devastation

💥 Updated, 7:45 PM ET (12:01 AM UTC/GMT, Wed 05 Aug 2020)

💥 Speculation and fear after massive explosion in Beirut - Jerusalem Post

💥 Beirut blasts damaged UN ship, badly injured crew - Al Arabiya, which also reports at least 75 dead and 3,700 injured.

💥 Some excellent live reporting by BBC News about the Beirut explosions

💥 A report from USA Today (emphasis added): "Though the cause of the explosion was yet to be officially determined, Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said it might have been caused by highly explosive material that was stored at the port after it was confiscated from a ship. Television channel LBC [Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation] said the material was sodium nitrate. Mohammed Fahmi, Lebanon's interior minister, told Al-Jazeera news the blast appeared to have been caused by ammonium nitrate that was stored in a warehouse. Ammonium nitrate, used in chemical fertilizer production, was a component of the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995." 

💥  Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) tweeted this at 5:29 PM ET: "Lebanese Prime Minister says #Beirut explosions caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left unsecured for 6 years in a warehouse. He vows to punish officials responsible. 50+ dead, 3,000 injured, hospitals overwhelmed."  (For comparison, in 1995 Timothy McVeigh blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City with two tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixed with fuel oil.)

Update3: Beirut Car Bomb Kills Lebanon's Top Spy: Violence Spreads

Beirut's Christian section. Photo: Bilal Hussein/Associated Press

Update3: Raw video of blast added - see it below.

Oct. 19, 2012 - A massive vehicle bomb exploded in Beirut, the capitol city of Lebanon, earlier today. It killed at least ten people and injuring many dozens more. Lebanese officials are calling the bombing a "terrorist attack." The bombing today is the first attack of this kind since 2008, and was centered in district of Ashrafiyeh.

Some Middle East experts say that the assassination bombing in Beirut could signal the spread of the Syrian conflict over international borders. Just as bad, it could also spark another civil war in Lebanon. Memories of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war is still the stuff of nightmares in Lebanon and the region.

One of those killed is Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, Lebanon's Chief of the Intelligence Bureau of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).  It is believed that the bomb was meant for Gen. al-Hassan. He "was the official behind uncovering a recent bomb plot that led to the arrest of a pro-Syrian Lebanese politician," reports the Associated Press.

Al-Jazeera says that Hassan was "a key figure in supporting the armed opposition in Syria." That report also notes that a former Lebanese interior minister says it is too early to tell who is responsible for the bombing today.

Update: Large and violent protests are already taking place in the wake of today's bombing. Angered by the death of el-Hassan, protesters "cut the highway between Beddawi to Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, following the announcement of the death of chief of the Intelligence Bureau of the Internal Security Forces, General Wissam el-Hassan," reports Al Bawaba News. "Other roads in the same area were also blocked, according to the same source" and gunfire was reported in a number of other parts of Lebanon. 

An excellent report at Naharnet says that the ISF "played a central role in the arrest in August of former Lebanese information minister Michel Samaha, who has close links to Damascus and was charged with planning attacks in Lebanon and transporting explosives in collaboration with Syrian security chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk."



Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi has condemned the bombing and called it "terrorist" and "cowardly."  Not everyone is buying that, however. Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt has accused Syrian President Bashar Assad of setting up the assassination Gen. al-Hasan, according to the Daily Star.

Martin Chulov covers the Middle East for The Guardian (UK) and is posting updates on Twitter today. He tweeted this earlier: "Wissam al-Hassan had led case against former Inf Minister Michel Samaha, accused of bringing bombs to #Lebanon on Syrian orders."  Another tweet by Chulov said, "Death of Wissam al-Hassan the most dangerous event in #Lebanon since assassination of Rafiq Hariri in 2005."

Photo: Yorgo El-Bittar @YorgoElBittar

The bomb exploded near the Christian Phalange Party's offices. They are known for their outspoken  anti-Syria statements. "Another anti-Syrian bloc, the March 14 alliance" says the AP report, has offices nearby. "Sejaan Azzi, a leading member of the Phalange, said he believes his party is being targeted for its views on Syria."

The death toll seems likely to rise as rescue teams sift through the wreckage left by the huge explosion. The blast was so powerful that it ripped balconies off of large apartment buildings.

"Lebanese security officials and Red Cross workers said eight people were killed and 60 wounded, 20 of them critically," reports AP. "Other news reports, citing the health ministry, said three people had been killed and 96 wounded. The state-run National News Agency put the number of wounded at 78."

Related:

• Security chief dies in Beirut blast - Live Updates The Guardian
• Top Security Official Among the Dead in Beirut Blast New York Times
• Lebanon's great divide exposed by assassination of security chief The Guardian 
• Why Wissam al-Hassan, security official killed in Beirut blast, matters... Washington Post 
• On Twitter, Videos and Photos of the Aftermath of the Beirut Bombing The Lede 
• Former Lebanese minister detained after discovery of bomb plot Daily Star Lebanon
• Beirut blast brings back nightmare of civil war Now Lebanon
• March 14 Alliance - Lebanon's Cedar Revolution MiddleEast.about.com

Raw Video: Syrian Airstrike Kills At Least 20 In Village of Marea

August 15, 2012 - (Video Below) - A brutal and savage bombardment of Marea, a small village in Syria (see map). The damage to buildings is very visible as two men carry an injured girl to a car. The t-shirt of the man who holds her is stained with her blood. At least 20 people were killed by the airstrike. At least another 30 people were killed in the village of Azaz, about 15 miles northwest of Marea (see map), reports Australian Broadcasting Corp.  Syria's government seems to be on the verge of total collapse. A report from ArabTimesOnline.com yesterday said that, "Syria’s former prime minister, the highest profile government figure to defect, said Tuesday the regime was collapsing and controlled barely a third of the conflict-wracked country."

AP noted this on their YouTube posting today: "Syrian fighter jets screamed through the sky dropping bombs over the rebel-held town of Marea, that leveled the better part of a neighborhood and wounded scores of people. Activists said more than 20 people were killed. (NOTE: Graphic material)."

AIRSTRIKE KILLS AT LEAST 20 IN MAREA:


AIRSTRIKE KILLS AT LEAST 30 IN AZAZ:
The Arabic title says "Khtirjadda of the senior civilian objects recovered from the rubble of buildings - Izaz City 15 8 2012"

Climbing from rubble, Azaz, Syria (AFP: Bulent Kilic)

The conflict in Syria has spilled over the country's borders in recent weeks. Over the past several months, refugees have crossed into Turkey.

As many as 150,000 refugees have sought safety in four of Syria's neighboring nations. More recently, fighting has overflowed into Lebanon.

A Fox News report today notes that Shiite clansmen in Lebanon said today that they were holding about 20 Syrians "and will hold them until one of their relatives seized by rebels inside Syria is freed. The tensions were a stark reminder of how easily Syria's civil war could spill over to neighboring states."

State of Alert in Lebanon; New Sanctions For Iran

Flashpoints, Middle East: These are breaking news items late on February 6, 2010 (as of 21:00 EST). Trouble Brewing in Lebanon: Haaretz.com - Hezbollah has raised its state of alert in Lebanon following the recent war of words between Israeli and Syrian officials, according to a report by the Beirut correspondent of Saudi daily Al-Okaz. The report cites growing concerns in Lebanon that Israel is either planning to attack Lebanon, or that tensions in the region will result in an Israeli operation there... IsraelNN.com - US Threatens Iran with Fresh Sanctions (Note: Is anybody else getting a feeling of deja vu? I half expect Colin Powell to give a slide show in a few weeks at the UN to explain why we need to invade Iran.) Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

ALERT - LEBANON LOBS ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL

BREAKING NOW, DEVELOPING: BEIRUT (AFP) – Israel shelled southern Lebanon on Saturday after a rocket slammed into its territory in a tit-for-tat exchange of fire across their tense border, sources on both sides said. Israeli public radio said a woman was lightly injured by flying glass in her home when the rocket landed near the Israeli town of Maalot near the Lebanese border. In Lebanon, panicked residents were fleeing the border area, where loud explosions could be heard, an AFP correspondent said. FULL REPORT... More as this develops....... CNB RSS Feed

EXTRA: Cable Guy Terrorist

A man who operated a cable television company was convicted in New York recently on charges of supporting Hizballah, a terrorist organization in Lebanon. Now, an organization in New York is demanding a full investigation "a full investigation of all cable systems through the tri state area after a convicted Staten Island TV operator was transporting TV programs to a Hizballah TV Station that was linked to a terrorist group." The organization demanding the investigation is Manhattan Media (see their press release below). NEW YORK—A Staten Island satellite TV operator, Javed Iqbal, aka John Iqbal, has pleaded guilty to providing material support of a Hizballah TV station, a designated foreign terrorist organization.... Prosecutors say Iqbal, 45, operated a satellite television service known as HDTV Limited, d/b/a HDTV Corporation, that maintained certain of its satellite equipment at Iqbal’s residence on Staten Island.... Iqbal pleaded guilty to a charge of providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24. (Source: North Country Gazette, NY) The New York Daily News explains that Iqbal "pleaded guilty Tuesday to providing satellite television transmission services to the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah, which the United States has branded a terrorist organization, legal authorities said." (Source)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [All Emphasis Added] Contact: RJ ROMERO of Manhattan Media Email: manhattanmedia212@gmail.com Terrorism on Staten Island. Staten Island Community Group Calls On Attorney General for Full Investigation of All Cable Systems after Recent Conviction.

The Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association is demanding and calling on New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for a full investigation of all cable systems through the tri state area after a convicted Staten Island TV operator was transporting TV programs to a Hizballah TV Station that was linked to a terrorist group. Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association President John “JE” Englebert says “Children can be affected by messages sent through our airwaves. Although we recognize our First Amendment of free speech we feel this was done illegally through our cable communications system. We feel that our TV systems are not being fully checked and there might be other cable systems affected. We are calling on Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for a full investigation”. Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association Vice President Mark Fiore says "We will be demanding higher penalties for this kind activity". Javed Iqbal, a/k/a “John Iqbal,” 45, of Staten Island, New York, pleaded guilty Tuesday December 23rd in Manhattan federal court to providing material support to Hizballah, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. According to the criminal Complaint, the count (Count Two) of the Superseding Indictment to which Iqbal pleaded guilty, and statements during the guilty plea proceeding before [a] United States District Judge. Hizballah (”Party of God”) is a Lebanon-based organization whose stated mission is the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic state and the destruction of the State of Israel. Hizballah regards the United States as its enemy in this struggle and has pursued its mission through, among other things, attacks on civilian targets. Hizballah operates a television station in Lebanon known as Al Manar (”the beacon”) to cultivate support, including raising funds and recruiting volunteers for attacks. Hizballah was designated on October 8, 1997, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. On October 31, 2001, Hizballah was further designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and Al Manar itself was so designated on March 23, 2006. Iqbal operated a satellite television service known as HDTV Limited, d/b/a HDTV Corporation that maintained certain of its satellite equipment at Iqbal’s residence on Staten Island. Iqbal admitted that between approximately September 2005 and August 2006 he provided satellite transmission services to Al Manar, in exchange for thousands of dollars in payments from Al Manar. Iqbal pleaded guilty to a charge of providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2009, at 12:45 p.m. before Judge Berman in Manhattan federal court. The Staten Island Good neighborhood Association Organization is a non political group that is dedicated to the health, safety and well being of Staten Island. It acts as a community watch dog organization for good government and civic activities for the people of Staten Island. The group’s website is http://www.statenislandgoodneighborhoodassociation.com For interviews with the Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association President or Vice President: Contact - RJ ROMERO of Manhattan Media Email: manhattanmedia212@gmail.com

UK: Sharia Law "Incompatible" With Human Rights

British lawmakers struck a blow for common sense, decency and one against fundamentalist Islamic sharia law. Our friends at Sharia Finance Watch posted this: The House of Lords today drew stark attention to the conflict between sharia and UK law, calling the Islamic legal code “wholly incompatible” with human rights legislation. The remarks came as the Lords considered the case of a woman who, if she was sent back to Lebanon, would be obliged under sharia law to hand over custody of her 12-year-old son to a man who beat her, threw her off a balcony and, on one occasion, attempted to strangle her. FULL POST at SHARIAFINANCEWATCH.ORG...

THEY LIKE OBAMA OVER THERE

A MUST-READ from Anne Leary: "Murder, murder" reminds us of what we are fighting for. It's more than oil, stupid. Among the many things we are fighting is the Islamofascist jihadists' own fight against liberation for women. With a powerful video! READ THE FULL POST (if you dare) at Backyard Conservative...