Gunman attempts attack on U.S. Embassy in Lebanon

Lebanese special forces sit in their vehicle as they patrol on a road that leads to the U.S. Embassy in Aukar, a northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon on June 5, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

A gunman was apprehended by Lebanese soldiers after a failed attempt to attack the U.S. Embassy near Beirut on June 5, as reported by the military.

The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions in the small Mediterranean nation, where clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces have caused displacement along the border. This unrest follows years of political gridlock and economic challenges.

According to the Lebanese military’s statement, the soldiers shot an attacker identified only as a Syrian national. The assailant sustained injuries and was subsequently hospitalized.

The motives behind the attack were unclear. Nonetheless, Lebanese media outlets have shared images showing a bloodied individual wearing a black vest with “Islamic State” inscribed in Arabic along with the initials “I” and “S” in English.

Reports from local media indicated that there was a thirty-minute gunfight near the U.S. diplomatic mission in Aukar, a suburb north of Beirut.

An unnamed Lebanese security official informed The Associated Press that there were four attackers involved, with one serving as the driver and three engaging in the gunfire.

Out of the assailants, one was killed, one managed to escape, and the third was wounded and captured by the Lebanese military. The official preferred anonymity due to lack of clearance to speak to the media.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed that the morning’s assault at its entrance did not result in any casualties among its personnel, highlighting the swift response from Lebanese troops and embassy security.

A statement from Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office conveyed that following discussions with the defense minister and army commander, the situation was under control, and thorough investigations were underway.

The Lebanese military disclosed the deployment of troops around the embassy and its vicinity for enhanced security.

In 1983, a devastating bombing attack on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut claimed 63 lives. U.S. authorities attributed the incident to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Subsequent to the attack, the embassy was relocated from central Beirut to Aukar, a Christian suburb north of the capital. However, another bombing incident targeted the new premises on September 20, 1984.

In September 2023, Lebanese security forces apprehended a Lebanese individual who fired shots near the U.S. Embassy. Fortunately, there were no casualties in that particular event.

In October 2023, numerous demonstrators clashed with Lebanese security forces in protests near the U.S. Embassy, showing solidarity with Gaza’s populace and the militant group Hamas amid their conflict with Israel.