The atmosphere was charged in southern Lebanon over the weekend after a fight erupted between locals from two villages over fuel.
The conflict started on Friday when a fight broke out between people from Maghdouche and others from Anqoun after a group of men from Anqoun stormed gas stations and attempted to open them by force.
The fight escalated and knives were drawn, resulting in six injuries and calls for security forces to intervene and control the situation.
Tensions rose again between the same villages on Sunday. Young men from Anqoun blocked the main road that connects their village to Maghdouche and proceeded to burn some trees.
This was after the Lebanese Army entered Anqoun to arrest individuals involved in the first attack on Maghdouche.
In response, several men from Anqoun confronted the army in their village as well as forces deployed to separate the two villages and maintain security.
MTV reported that some of the attackers assaulted locals and damaged some cars on the outer edges of Maghdouche – as well as damaging Christian religious shrines.
The renewed tensions encouraged more calls for law enforcement to restore calm to the area, to which the Lebanese Army sent reinforcements.
Following the incident, rumors surfaced about the alleged intentions of the people of Maghdouche to escalate the situation.
However, the Municipality of Maghdouche denied this in a statement late on Sunday, stressing its people’s abidance by the law and the Lebanese Army’s measures.
The Amal Movement also issued a statement denying having any relation to the violence that was witnessed in Maghdouche – despite Amal flags seen on vehicles.
