Beirut, Lebanon. A double suicide bombing attacks on Beirut on Thursday killed at least 43 people and wounded another 200 people, ripped through shopping district at the rush hour. Lebanese Health Ministry said that it was the worst strike against Beirut in years. Islamic State extremist group, who control neighbouring parts in Syria, said that they claim the responsibility for these attacks. Their motives were to harm Shiite Muslims, who views are portrayed as apostates. They also mentioned Hezbollah, being their initiate target, who are backing Syrian government in the raging civil War.
Hezbollah maintains high security control in the Shiite district and the bombing was aimed at the group, but it ended up hitting the civilians at the area, where Hezbollah has many supporters. Stricken area also is "display case" of working-class Beirut, where Palestinians, Syrians and Christian refugees live, shop and work. Though Beirut has endured those attacks before and attacked district had been calm for months, then the attack itself showed, how vulnerable Lebanon is to the wrath of the ISIS.
Lebanese Army said that the attacks struck at 6 pm local time, period of the day, when there is evening rush hour, apparently trying to maximize casualties. Army also added that they found third body near the first explosive site, but the explosive belt was largely intact.
Attack took place Bourj al-Barajneh neighbourhood, which is situated at the southern region of Beirut. Area also includes Palestinian refugee camp and it also has absorbed many Syrian refugees.
The Health Ministry said that by the evening death count had reached to 43 and at least 239 people wounded. It is second time ISIS has claimed attacks on civilian target against countries, who are fighting in Syria.
The first being the plane, full of Russian tourists, was bombed down on October 31st in Sinai peninsula.
Russia, Hezbollah and Iran are all crucial allies to the Syrian government. Russia claimed that they fight against ISIS in Syria in the civil war conflict which, as matter of fact, enters to it's fifth year. Since Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, Beirut and other Lebanese cities have been targeted by other rivaling Syrian factions.
On the other hand, Hezbollah, who declared terrorist group by Israel and the US, has political power in Lebanon and has sent aid to Syria, providing support to Bashar al-Assad.
Attack on Tripoli in Thursday was the worst in terms of casualties in since August 23rd, 2013, when two mosques were hit in Tripoli, city in Northern Lebanon.
