Lebanon Mourns Six Fallen Soldiers
Lebanon Mourns Six Fallen Soldiers After Deadly Ammunition Depot Explosion in Wadi Zibqin
Lebanon was plunged into mourning on Saturday, 9 August 2025, after a devastating explosion at an ammunition depot in the Wadi Zibqin area of Tyre claimed the lives of six soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and injured several others. The blast occurred as an army engineering unit was inspecting and dismantling weapons and munitions stored in the facility, which lies in southern Lebanon — an area with a long history of tension and military operations.
The Incident: Sudden Tragedy in the South
According to the Lebanese Army – Directorate of Orientation, the explosion erupted during a routine inspection of the site, which contained a cache of weapons and ammunition. The soldiers were working to dismantle and secure the materials when the blast tore through the depot. Initial reports suggested a powerful detonation, with the shockwave felt in surrounding villages. Emergency services and army reinforcements rushed to the scene, sealing off the area and evacuating the wounded.
The army confirmed the identities of the fallen:
- Master Sergeant Abbas Fawzi Slaheb
- Private Ahmad Fadi Fadel
- Private Ibrahim Khalil Mustafa
- Private Hadi Nasser Al-Bay
- Private Mohammad Ali Shaqir
- Private Yamen Al-Hallaq
All six were described as dedicated servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Video footage and images from the site showed extensive military presence, emergency response units, and ambulances ferrying the wounded to nearby hospitals. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with the army stating that a technical committee is conducting a full inquiry to determine the exact circumstances.
Presidential Condolences and National Mourning
President Joseph Aoun (no relation to the former army commander of the same name) expressed his deep sorrow at the loss. In a statement following a call with Army Commander General Rodolphe Haikal, the president described the incident as a “painful and tragic loss” for the nation.
“The homeland today has lost a group of its finest sons, who sacrificed their pure souls in defense of Lebanon’s sovereignty,” President Aoun said. “These honorable martyrs have inscribed, with their sacred blood, the highest meanings of sacrifice and heroism. Their martyrdom is not the end — it is a torch of hope for generations to come.”
He stressed that the Lebanese Armed Forces remain the “nation’s protective shield and guardian of its borders” and pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen would not be in vain.
Prime Minister and Parliament Offer Support
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also issued a statement after contacting President Aoun, Defense Minister Michel Mansi, and General Haikal.
“With great pain, Lebanon bids farewell to the heroes of our army who fell in the south while performing their national duty,” Salam said. “The whole of Lebanon, state and people, bows in reverence before their sacrifices and their pure blood, which reaffirms that our army is the nation’s safety valve, the fortress of sovereignty, and the protector of unity.”
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri echoed similar sentiments, praising the military’s unwavering role as the unifying institution for all Lebanese and a defender of national sovereignty “regardless of the cost.” Berri also directed civil defense units of the Amal Movement’s Islamic Scout Association to assist the army in rescue and evacuation operations.
Military Leadership and International Reactions
Acting Defense Minister Michel Mansi telephoned Acting Army Commander Major General Hassan Ouda to offer condolences and to commend the dedication of the engineering unit’s personnel.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) released a statement underscoring the dangers faced by the LAF in the current volatile environment:
“Today, several loyal Lebanese soldiers were killed and others wounded while fulfilling their duty to restore stability and prevent a return to open conflict. UNIFIL extends its deepest condolences to the Lebanese Army and their families, and reaffirms its support for the LAF in maintaining security to the best of our ability.”
From Washington, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack conveyed condolences on behalf of President Donald Trump and the American people, expressing “deep regret at the loss of these brave soldiers who dedicated their lives to Lebanon’s defense.” Barrack emphasized U.S. solidarity with Lebanon in “this moment of sorrow” and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Religious and Political Leaders Join in Mourning
Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian offered condolences to the army command and the families of the martyrs, praising the LAF as “the secure refuge and strong fortress for all Lebanese.”
Foreign Minister Youssef Raji wrote on social media:
“All mercy to the martyrs of the Lebanese Army and a speedy recovery for the wounded. Your sacrifices protect Lebanon and its sovereignty. Your blood confirms the correctness of having the army as the sole legitimate force under political authority to extend sovereignty and stability over all Lebanese territory.”
The Maronite League also issued a statement urging solidarity with the army and calling on the international community to provide greater support to the LAF in fulfilling its mission under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
MP Ali Ammar, representing the National Defense Committee, emphasized the “golden triangle” of the army, the resistance, and the people in confronting external threats, adding:
“We say to the Lebanese Army: your loss is our loss, and we will remain together in the same trench defending Lebanon’s freedom, sovereignty, and independence, no matter the cost.”
A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
The Lebanese Armed Forces, especially units tasked with ordnance disposal, face ongoing risks in areas littered with remnants of past conflicts. Southern Lebanon, in particular, has been the scene of multiple wars, leaving behind dangerous stockpiles of unexploded ordnance, rockets, and munitions. Engineering units often conduct painstaking and dangerous operations to dismantle and safely dispose of such materials.
The Wadi Zibqin explosion is one of the deadliest incidents involving the army’s engineering corps in recent years and underscores the high price paid by Lebanon’s military in preserving national stability.
National Reflection
As Lebanon grieves, flags were lowered across military installations, and tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Social media timelines filled with images of the fallen soldiers, their names and ranks shared alongside words of respect and solidarity.
For the families of the martyrs, the grief is immeasurable, but so is the pride in their loved ones’ service. The nation, battered by economic crisis and political division, found in this moment a rare sense of unity — a collective recognition of the sacrifice of those who defend the country’s sovereignty.
Moving Forward
The investigation into the cause of the explosion will be closely watched, both to provide answers to the grieving families and to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, the army remains committed to its duties in the south and across Lebanon.
The six soldiers who perished in Wadi Zibqin join a long line of martyrs whose blood has been shed in the service of the Lebanese Republic. Their sacrifice reinforces the enduring truth, echoed by many leaders in the aftermath: Lebanon’s freedom and stability are preserved only through vigilance, courage, and the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.
With deep sorrow and profound respect, we at CIS Security extend our heartfelt condolences to the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the families of the brave soldiers who tragically lost their lives during the recent incident in Wadi Zbeqine.
These heroes served with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication to protecting our nation. Their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the dangers our soldiers face every day to safeguard Lebanon’s stability and its people. The loss they leave behind is not only felt by their families and comrades but by every Lebanese citizen who values peace, security, and national pride.
We stand in solidarity with the Lebanese Army during this time of mourning, honoring the memory of the fallen and recognizing their service as a lasting example of patriotism and selflessness. Their legacy will continue to inspire future generations to uphold the values for which they gave their lives.
May their souls rest in eternal peace, and may God grant comfort and strength to their loved ones and to the entire military family.
With deepest sympathy and respect,
Carlos Kfoury
CEO – CIS Security
