Security forces discovered a tunnel in Fanar, located north-east of Beirut, on 20 October. Inspections conducted at the site revealed that the underground structure contained only digging tools. Officials confirmed that no weapons or gold were located within the passage. The tunnel descended five metres into the ground and extended eight metres horizontally. Investigations remain ongoing regarding the origin and intended purpose of the site in the northern Matn region.
Recent Security Incidents Reported
Security forces seized half a tonne of explosives from a vehicle traveling towards Beirut on 21 October. The interception occurred at the Dahr Al Baidar checkpoint during a routine inspection of the transport. Authorities identified two men inside the vehicle at the time of the stop. Both individuals were detained by security forces in connection with the explosives seizure. Investigations into the origin and destination of the materials are currently underway. No further details regarding the suspects or the specific intent behind the transport have been released by officials. The military maintains a heightened presence in the Dahr Al Baidar area as officials continue to process evidence recovered from the scene.
Clashes and Public Unrest
Security forces engaged in clashes with young men last week in the Gallerie Semaan neighbourhood during a raid on a warehouse containing expired medicines. A Lebanese security source commented on the incident, stating, "You can't blame the people. It's because of the whole situation. It's a sign of the tensions."
Amid these developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to ensure seized explosives were not returned to Hezbollah. Regarding the separate discovery of a tunnel in the northern Matn region, a Lebanese security official remarked, "It's not for weapons. Maybe for drugs, but for sure not related to ammunition or weapons. It's very primitive, no way it would be for weapons."
Samy Gemayel, a prominent anti-Hezbollah MP, connected these events in a public statement. "A tunnel in Matn, explosives in Dahr Al Baidar, and clashes with security forces in the southern suburbs … these are dangerous indicators that necessitate putting a definitive end … to Hezbollah's military organisation across all Lebanese territories," he said.
Concerns regarding the security climate remain elevated among political factions. A senior Lebanese Forces official assessed the broader environment, noting, "As long as Hezbollah still has one arm left, we are at risk of another war at any time." Authorities continue to investigate the warehouse raid and the transport of materials intercepted at the Dahr Al Baidar checkpoint as part of an effort to monitor ongoing instability in the country.
