A Lebanese Army officer and two soldiers were killed Thursday in a munitions explosion in the southern village of Braiqaa, marking the second deadly incident involving security forces in the region this week. The blast, which occurred as explosives were being transported in a military vehicle, also injured several civilians, according to an official army statement.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in southern Lebanon, where the army has intensified operations under a November 2023 truce agreement that halted hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned militant group. As part of the deal, Lebanese forces have been progressively deploying across the historically volatile border area and dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
An AFP correspondent at the scene in Braiqaa, located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Israeli border, reported extensive damage, including charred military and civilian vehicles, shattered shopfronts, and damaged residential buildings. Security forces cordoned off the area as specialized army units launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Thursday’s casualties follow the death of another soldier earlier this week in a separate blast, underscoring the lingering risks faced by security personnel tasked with stabilizing the war-scarred region. Authorities have not yet indicated whether the explosions are linked to ongoing clearance operations or residual hazards from past conflicts.
The Lebanese Army reiterated its commitment to “securing the south and safeguarding civilians” while urging residents to avoid handling or approaching suspected munitions. The incidents highlight the fragile security landscape as the military navigates the dual challenges of postwar recovery and neutralizing entrenched militant networks.
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