A powerful car bombing Thursday killed at least 14 people and wounded about 212 others in the Beirut southern suburb of Rweiss, the National News Agency reported.
Following the blast, a YouTube video surfaced in which three masked men holding weapons claimed they are part of a group responsible for the attack. They stood before a large Arabic sign containing the Islamic creed, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah."
“We, the Aisha, Mother of Believers, Brigades for Foreign missions, send you Hassan Nasrallah and your party our second resonant, strong message after having sent you our first message and you still do not understand,” a masked man said in the video.
“We told you the first time that it is not you who determines the place and timing of the battle. For the second time, we determined the time and place and it will always be in the center of your strongholds. This is a tragedy for you and there are still more to come”.
“We ask you to stay away from all of Iran’s colonies inside and outside Beirut because your blood is dear to us,” the group warned the Lebanese people.
The caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said the explosion was the result of a car bomb attack in which 60 to 80 Kg of explosive material, according to the Lebanese Army, was used.
"Preliminary reports say the bodies of 10 people ... were taken to Sahel hospital, as well as 42 wounded, while four bodies... and 100 wounded were taken to Rasul al-Aazam hospital," NNA said.
The agency, quoting security sources, said another 50 wounded were taken to other hospitals.
Hezbollah sources denied the attack had targeted any of the party’s figureheads and officials.
Television footage showed firemen helping residents trapped in their homes escape the flames, as well as a crowd of people in panic and rage, gathered near the site of the explosion.
Just over a month ago, the Bir al-Abed area was hit by a car bomb attack later claimed by another little-known Syrian rebel group. Dozens of people were injured in that attack.
Thursday's explosion came a day after Nasrallah said in an interview that his group was taking steps to ensure July's attack was not repeated.
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