DEARBORN — The fallen soldiers of the Lebanese Army Forces who lost their lives late last month in clashes with extremist Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir’s militiamen were honored by community members, during a commemoration ceremony last Sunday at Henry Ford Centennial Library. 

The clashes between soldiers of the Lebanese Army and gunmen, loyal to al-Assir, occurred in Sidon, the capitol of South Lebanon. Six soldiers were reportedly killed Sunday, June 24 and 12 others on Monday, June 25. Several other soldiers were wounded.  The two days of intense fighting took place after the gunmen ambushed an army checkpoint. 

The commemoration ceremony featured diverse speakers including Lebanese Muslim and Christian community leaders.

The Lebanese army managed to seize a compound in Sidon’s Abra suburb that was reportedly housing about 250 of al-Assir’s fighters.  

The ceremony was organized by the Consul General of Lebanon in Detroit, Bilal Kabalan.  

“The main message we want to send today is showing our solidarity as a Lebanese community, outside Lebanon with the Lebanese army, to keep the integrity of the country and to keep the unity of the state and of the people,” said Kabalan. 

Speakers praised the fallen soldiers for sacrificing their lives to fight terrorism and safeguarding the country from extremists. The number of gunmen loyal to al-Assir who were killed is still uncertain, and al-Assir hasn’t been captured.  

Community members waved Lebanese flags in the air to express solidarity with people in Lebanon, who have become more vulnerable to acts of extremism as the Syrian crisis continues to spread into Lebanon. 

Hassan Bazzi, a native of Lebanon and Dearborn Heights resident said the community is closely monitoring the events unfolding throughout the Arab World. 

“It’s a big worry for me, and a lot of people around here. We‘re watching the situation there very closely back home, and this is a big concern especially at this time,” Bazzi said. 

Louis Ghafari, a community leader and Maronite Catholic said the soldiers who were killed included both Christians and Muslims.  Father Alfred Badawi of the St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, along with religious leaders from the Muslim community also attended the event.

Ned Fawaz, the founder and CEO of Energy International Corporation said the sacrifices the soldiers made show the magnitude of the battle.   

“It cost a lot of human lives especially from our men in uniform. It was a heavy price to keep the stability,” said Kabalan.