The town of Yanta in the Rashaya district mourned the youth of the slain, Tarek Mahmoud Zaidan and Yahya Kamil Alaa al-Din, who were killed two days ago by treacherous gunfire while they were in the Shuqara area near Yanta. The large funeral ceremony held in the town's public hall was attended by a member of the Democratic Gathering bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, a group of sheikhs, clergy, members of the Druze religious council, mayors, mukhtars, local figures, political party officials, and delegations from various towns in Rashaya, Baalbek, Hasbaya, and the mountains.
In his speech on behalf of the people of Yanta, educator Rabi' Halabi stressed that they will not allow their youth to be victims of treachery and poverty. He called for the army and security forces to play an active role, as they have in the past, in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the criminal acts affecting Yanta and its neighboring towns and that they should work diligently to uncover the truth. He stated they are prepared to offer all necessary coordination and support, sacrificing everything to prevent such a tragedy from repeating.
Dr. Khaled Al-Hakim, the mayor of Yanta, also spoke, saying: "What is happening in Yanta, with killings of our finest youth in this resilient town at the borders, puts everything under scrutiny. Here we ask our judiciary, which we trust, about the status of investigations into previous painful events. We, who have endured the difficulties of exile and the country's strife, trust the Lebanese army and our security and military agencies, especially since what is happening at the borders requires our national army to have the final word in preserving our security and stability. Therefore, in this last farewell, on behalf of the town's residents, both locals and expatriates, we call on the judiciary and security and military authorities to reveal the perpetrators and circumstances of this heinous crime that our secure town has never witnessed. We urge maximum efforts to keep Yanta safe, respected, and united by controlling the borders and preventing malicious outsiders from disturbing our security and social peace. We also call on our citizens and youth to exercise restraint and to be aware, wise, and responsible so that the investigation can proceed swiftly, ensuring that our martyrs' sacrifices are not in vain, and so that we can achieve the justice we all seek, as we are citizens of a state that we believe in and that works to apply the law and resort to fair and just judiciary."
Then there were speeches from Sheikh Youssef Al-Rafee' of the town of Baka, former Yanta mayor Nabil Halabi, retired Colonel Mansour Eshty, and a poem by poet Nazih Abu Zour.
Abu Faour, in his remarks, said: "Yanta, with all its colors, shares a single affiliation—an affiliation of love, ethics, diligence, and commitment to the law. Yanta, which today mourns two dear young men, does not deserve this tragedy and loss. Yanta does not deserve this calamity and loss of a young man with high aspirations and nobility. May God grant you patience in this misfortune. Yanta, which immersed in geographical depths, has gone to the farthest reaches of Canada and beyond the seas seeking a living and dignity. Throughout the events it has experienced, Yanta has always been committed to order and security, and unfortunately, has witnessed many saddening events recently, starting with the murder of the doomed young Yahya Yahya, then the miraculous survival of the young Adeeb Abu Qalafuni in the midst of the town, and now this crime today confirms that what is happening is no longer a passing matter but has entered the realm of organized and purposeful crime."
"Yanta, on the border, and all the border towns in Lebanon are experiencing similar conditions, but this series of organized killings must reveal who is responsible for it. Our trust in the Lebanese army is immense, and we believe in the leadership of General Joseph Aoun, Army Chief of Staff General Amin Al-Aram, and the officers working in this area. Each time this matter is raised, it receives utmost attention. We are at the borders and we fully understand the situation due to the current economic and social conditions in the country, but we are Lebanese citizens in a Lebanese land with a Lebanese affiliation, and our responsibility lies with the Lebanese state, not any other party. Investigations should reach conclusions; serious investigations by the army that we trust and its leadership are essential for protecting this area. The decision to establish a permanent headquarters for the border regiment in Yanta is a clear ambition from the army leadership and a sense of responsibility toward this area and its people. However, the investigations have been prolonged, and it is imperative to uncover the murderer. There have been killings, and there are killers, regardless of who is the murderer and the circumstances of the killings. It is unacceptable for the matter to end with mere statements that absolve Tarek of liability for being absent from service. Tarek honored himself by belonging to the State Security apparatus, which we highly regard, and if Tarek was absent from duty, he did not abandon his citizenship or his affiliation or the responsibility of all security agencies towards all citizens in the region."
"I spoke with the army chief of staff, who spoke with the army commander. The region needs a different military security plan, and they promised to take all measures to ensure this matter. Our trust in the army and security agencies, to which we turn to put an end to this criminal saga, is complete. This region is Lebanese, and the responsibility for its security lies with the Lebanese military and security agencies. Our people in Yanta know the depth of the emotions I hold for the people of this village, to which I am proud to belong. So, dear people of Yanta, from above the loss, pain, and suffering, let us avoid harming ourselves and our children, as this is our social responsibility. We know the conditions and suffering, and it is the state's and officials' responsibility to alleviate the suffering of citizens. It is the responsibility of political leadership to cease manipulating statements and counter-statements and the arguments thrown from one side to another. We need economic and social salvation and a government and president to lead us out of this economic tunnel."
