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High-Profile Operation in Baalbek: Lebanese Army Eliminates Three of the Most Wanted in Sharawneh
The Lebanese Army carried out a major security operation on Wednesday in the Sharawneh neighborhood of Baalbek, targeting several locations harboring dangerous fugitives, most notably Ali Mondher Zeaiter, known by his alias “Abu Salleh.” The raid, supported by Intelligence Directorate patrols, marked a significant blow against organized crime and drug trafficking networks in the region.
According to An-Nahar newspaper via its “X” platform, the operation resulted in the killing of Ali Mondher Zeaiter (Abu Salleh), Abbas Ali Saadoun Zeaiter, and Fayad Salem Zeaiter during an armed clash with army units in the targeted area.
In an official statement, the Lebanese Army announced that while pursuing a vehicle carrying the fugitives — Ali Mondher Zeaiter (“Abu Salleh”), Abbas Zeaiter (“Al-Sultan”), and Fayad Zeaiter — a shootout occurred, leading to their deaths. The army described them as among the most dangerous drug traffickers in Lebanon, wanted for the killing of military personnel, kidnapping, armed robbery, and attacks on army patrols and posts.
The statement added that the fugitives had, for years, been distributing drugs across various Lebanese regions, contributing to the spread of crime and drug abuse, particularly among the youth. The army had previously launched several operations to apprehend them, which had resulted in injuries among soldiers.
The army firmly denied reports claiming that homes or family members of the fugitives, or local residents, had been targeted during the operation. It also denied any confrontations between civilians and army forces.
Meanwhile, sources close to Hezbollah reported that the army deployed drones to carry out precision strikes on the fugitives' positions, as part of the ongoing security crackdown.
