Lebanese Army Thwarts Gunman’s Attack on US Embassy in Beirut
BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese army reported on Wednesday that a gunman made an attempt to attack the U.S. embassy near Beirut. The assailant, identified as a Syrian national, was shot by soldiers and subsequently taken to a hospital. Reports from local media indicated that a gunfight ensued for nearly half an hour near the U.S. diplomatic mission in the suburb of Aukar, situated north of Beirut.
The U.S. Embassy confirmed the incident, stating that the morning assault at the embassy’s entrance did not result in any injuries among their personnel. Both Lebanese troops and embassy security forces swiftly responded to the situation. The Lebanese military announced the deployment of additional troops in the vicinity of the embassy and its surroundings.
Notably, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut had previously experienced a devastating bombing attack in 1983, which claimed the lives of 63 individuals. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was held responsible for the assault. Consequently, the embassy was relocated from central Beirut to Aukar, a Christian suburb situated to the north of the capital. Another bombing incident occurred at the new embassy location on September 20, 1984.
This recent incident follows previous security breaches near the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. In September 2023, a Lebanese man was apprehended by security forces after firing shots in the vicinity of the embassy, with no casualties reported. Furthermore, in October 2023, demonstrations near the embassy turned violent as hundreds of protesters clashed with Lebanese security forces in a show of support for Gaza’s residents and the militant group Hamas amidst its conflict with Israel.
In response to these events, the Lebanese military remains vigilant in ensuring the safety and security of diplomatic missions in the country, particularly the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.