Deadly sandstorm sweeps across Middle East

Richard Hall | GlobalPost

Show Caption Hide Caption Raw: Massive Sandstorm Hits Middle East An unseasonal sandstorm has hit portions of the Middle East, reducing visibility and sending dozens to hospitals with breathing difficulties. (Sept. 9)

BEIRUT — Large parts of Lebanon and Syria were shrouded by an "unprecedented" sandstorm on Tuesday as a brownish cloud settled over the region.

At least two people are thought to have died in Lebanon as a result of the storm, and as many as 750 people have suffered from difficulties with breathing, according to the country's health ministry. Local press reported as many as five may have died.

Residents woke up to sandy windows and dust-caked cars on Tuesday morning as the storm that originated in Iraq made its way west. The Red Cross warned people with asthma to stay indoors. Many people wore masks as they went around town.

Lebanon's meteorological department described the storm as being "unprecedented" in Lebanon's modern history, according to Al Jazeera. The same storm caused problems in Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Cyprus.

In Syria, the storm was reported to have stalled government airstrikes on rebel areas in the north of the country due to poor visibility.

This article originally appeared on GlobalPost. Its content was created separately to USA TODAY.

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