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Conflict Incident Report
Security forces raid Sidon homes after Assir confessions
General Security officers raided three houses in the southern city of Sidon Wednesday using information gathered during interrogations of radical preacher Ahmad al-Assir.
The raids targeted the house of Khaled Awzaar, who was arrested Tuesday, and two other homes in the southern coastal city where the preacher was based.
One of the two other houses, located in the Old Sidon area, belongs to Fuad Abu Ghazala, a Palestinian Assir loyalist.
The confessions of Assir, who was arrested Saturday by General Security at Beirut airport on his way to Nigeria, have so far led to the arrest of at least five people.
In addition to Awzaar, General Security agents have arrested Mohammad Nakouzi, Ahmad Abdul Majid, Hossam Rifai and Moutassem Shami.
The officers were not seen removing any weapons, materials or detaining any individuals during Wednesday's raids. Unconfirmed media reports claimed that suicide belts had been discovered during the raids.
Assir and Nakouzi will be joining dozens of other defendants in the joint trial to be held on Sept. 15 at the Military Tribunal, over the clashes that Assir led against the Army in the Sidon area of Abra in 2013.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Aug-19/311812-securit...