TRIPOLI, Lebanon: Residents of the border town of Arida blocked Monday the road linking Lebanon with Syria in both directions to protest Syrian shelling of their town.

Pitching a huge tent in the middle of the road that blocked access for motorists traveling to Syria, the protesters demanded that the Lebanese Army protect them against shelling on their town.

Shelling from Syria fell on several northern towns earlier Monday.

Shrapnel shattered the windows of Arida’s mosque. Shells also left holes and shattered windows of neighboring houses and shops. No casualties were reported.

Many frightened residents sought shelter in villages far from the border.

This is the second protest in a week in the area.

On Wednesday, demonstrators blocked the Arida border crossing to prevent fuel tanker trucks from crossing into Syria.

The move came a day after the Energy Ministry dismissed reports of fuel smuggling into Syria as “fabrications for purely political objectives.”