The Tragic Mistake in the Liberation of Saudi Citizen Mashari Al-Mutairi: The Unintentional Killing of Civilians

The kidnapping and liberation of the Saudi citizen Mashari Al-Mutairi preoccupied the political and security circles, which followed the details firsthand. The Lebanese army succeeded in liberating him during an operation described as qualitative, and arrested a number of those involved, but this achievement, as some saw it, hides behind it a tragedy that did not go out into the open, and a mistake that almost killed him. Four civilians were killed, one of whom was in critical condition.

It seems clear that the attempt to cover up about this incident, and if it indicates something, then it is to reveal the scandalous error committed by some of the elements who were present in the area, who suspected a civilian car that prompted them to fire a torrent of bullets, and Karm Bu Chaya fell victim to it, while he was suspended between life and death in one of the hospitals.

From a suspect from the “Jaafar family” to the wounded Bou Karam, things got mixed up for the squad that was present in the locality of Kayal-Baalbek and led to targeting the wrong car, and chasing the wrong people instead of chasing the wanted.

This incident prompted the head of the Deir al-Ahmar Union of Municipalities, Jean Fakhry, to clarify what happened by issuing a statement stating that “the clash with the wanted persons in the locality of al-Kayyal – Baalbek, and the coincidence of people passing by, some of whom were from the Deir al-Ahmar area at the moment of the clashes, resulted in the injury of a number of wounded residents of the Deir al-Ahmar area.” and neighbourhoods, including Mr. Karam Bou Chaaya,” wishing “the wounded and Karam Bou Chaaya a speedy recovery.”

Meanwhile, An-Nahar sources confirmed that “during the exchange of fire, a four-wheel-drive vehicle with darkened windows happened to pass in the locality, inadvertently wounding a civilian, which was an unintentional incident, and a helicopter was sent to take him to the hospital.”

In a reading of what happened, the mistake occurred unintentionally, with the serious repercussions it carries, for which the young Bou Chaaya, who is suspended between life and death on a hospital bed, may pay the price. Many questions are asked about the reason for firing shots in this suspicious manner before verifying the identity of those in the car, just as the officers could have fired at the wheels to stop the car instead of shooting in confrontation with the car and for a continuous period.

The source does not hide that “a mistake is possible at any time, nor does it hide other losses incurred by the army in other raids. The investigation is underway today, but this does not negate all the efforts made by the army to protect civilians and their security.”

What really happened on the day of the raid? And what did one of the survivors, who was in the car with her friends, reveal while searching for the wanted persons in the area?

The young woman, Raya Haddad, who was in the “jeep” that was shot while chasing the wanted men in the kidnapping of the Saudi, recounts what happened in detail, telling “An-Nahar” that I was accompanied by Karam, who is my friend and future life partner, with another friend in a four-wheel drive car, heading to the town of Deir al-Ahmar. To participate in the burial of our friend’s grandfather. On the way back, we were heading to a restaurant in the area, when we were surprised by the presence of two four-wheel drive cars crossing the road, in addition to the presence of masked elements, and nothing indicating that they were a squad of the Lebanese army.

At first glance, the obvious idea that occurred to the youth was that there was a problem between the clans in the area, and the natural reaction was to ask the friend who was sitting next to Karam to turn around quickly for fear of bullets. However, their fear of bullets and their escaping from what is happening will turn into a point of suspicion for those present, and here begins a detective story similar to movies.

Raya remembers very well what happened while the car was turning back to moments of terror and fear. The shooting was not normal, but in an intense and terrifying way. “I completely remember the continuous sound of bullets hitting the car, as if we were in a war front. The sound of bullets did not stop, and we started screaming in fear without understanding the truth of what was going on.

Karam managed to get out before the car stopped suddenly, we were hiding under the seats, only Karm could not take cover, only to find him with a gunshot wound to his neck, and he was bleeding profusely, we miraculously survived, my friend got out of the car after it stopped, while I stayed with Karam, I was I beg him to stay with me, but he was unconscious, his condition was very bad and his injury was serious after bleeding in his neck.”

Raya tried to call for help, two members of the army arrived at the car in order to check the identities, and according to Raya, “they started shouting, asking about our identities, “Who are you? You gave us your identity.” Then I started screaming, I did not understand their motives, and Karam was bleeding in my hands while he was suspended between life and death. I asked for help before knowing everything they wanted. And here was the shock, when they asked me if Karam was from the Bou Jaafar family? I lost my mind, what does that mean? Karam From the house of “Bu Chaaya” and we were participating in the burial ceremony, and he is in a serious condition and needs to be moved quickly.

Raya did not receive any help.” They told me literally, “Turki Haida is dead.” After hearing this phrase, I collapsed. They rushed him in a “tank” to Dar al-Amal Hospital, close to the scene of the accident. After he was admitted there, one of the officers summoned me to a room for interrogation. A video was made in which I talked about everything I saw, and I learned from them that what happened to us was by mistake, and that the shooting was not intended, and we should not talk about the details of what happened in a loud voice, as I used to do in the hospital.”

Raya sensed their attempt to obscure the issue and not raise it publicly, but it was not Karam’s fault that he paid the price for someone’s mistake, nor was it our fault as innocent civilians who had nothing to do with everything that was going on, as we turned into suspects and pursuers, just because we passed through the place. As long as there was a qualitative process, every car had to be checked and identities verified before any decision to open fire was taken, and this did not happen.

Karam lies in a coma in the Hotel Dieu hospital, Raya says: “We do not know the extent of his ability to breathe on his own, he is still on respirators, after he was shot in the spinal cord.”