The World - News from May 18, 1988

Amal fighters counterattacked and gained ground against the rival Hezbollah militia on the 12th day of their war for control of south Beirut’s Shia Muslim slums. The battle raged in violation of another cease-fire sponsored by Syria and Iran. Syria supports the mainstream Amal, and Iran backs the radical Hezbollah (Party of God). Police said 15 people were killed and 51 wounded. They put the total casualties at 240 dead and 757 wounded since fighting began May 6 in the slums, where groups affiliated with Hezbollah are believed to hold most of the nine American hostages and nine other foreigners in Lebanon.