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US Embassy in Lebanon attacked amid escalating Hezbollah-Israel tensions

US Embassy Lebanon
Lebanese army vehicles move along a road as soldiers deploy near the US embassy in Beirut [Credits: Joseph Eid/AFP]

On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Lebanon was attacked amid increasing tensions in the region due to escalating cross-border conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

The embassy, located in Awkar, north of Beirut in the Metn district, confirmed the attack.

“At 8:34 a.m. local time, small arms fire was reported near the entrance to the US Embassy,” the embassy posted on X.

“Thanks to the quick reaction of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces (ISF), and our Embassy security team, our facility and staff are safe.”

The embassy stated, “Investigations are underway and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement.”

In a brief statement, the Lebanese army reported that its forces responded to the gunfire, shooting the assailant, who was identified as a Syrian national. The injured man was taken to a hospital.

Local LBCI channel, citing its sources, reported that three assailants were involved in the attack. One gunman was shot dead, another was injured and arrested by the army, and search operations are ongoing for the third assailant who fled the scene.

The embassy added, “Investigations are underway, and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement.”

The Lebanese army issued a brief statement saying that its forces responded to the gunfire and shot the assailant, identified as a Syrian national. The wounded man was taken to a hospital.

According to local LBCI channel sources, three assailants were involved in the attack. One gunman was shot dead, another was injured and arrested by the army, and the third assailant, who fled the scene, is currently being pursued.

Local media reported that an embassy guard was injured in the shooting. Incidents at the heavily fortified embassy compound in the Metn district have been rare in recent years, unlike during the Lebanese civil war (1975–1990).

At that time, extremist groups frequently targeted US-related entities amid worsening security conditions and increasing sectarian tensions between Muslims and Christians.

After an April 1983 car bomb attack near the US Embassy in West Beirut, resulting in 63 deaths, the United States relocated its embassy to Awkar in the Christian-majority Metn district.

Despite this relocation, several incidents have occurred near the embassy in recent months, indicating heightened regional tensions.

In October 2023, following the outbreak of the Israeli conflict in Gaza, hundreds of demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags, marched towards the US embassy for a “day of rage” called by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in solidarity with Palestinians.

During the protests, clashes ensued between the demonstrators and security forces, leading to the deployment of tear gas and water cannons to quell the unrest.

In September 2023, Lebanese security forces apprehended a man who opened fire at the US Embassy. No casualties were reported at that time, and it remains unclear if the attack had political motivations.

Hezbollah initiated rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel one day after Hamas launched a surprise cross-border assault on southern Israel on October 7.

The Iranian-backed group claimed solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Following these incidents, tensions have heightened, leading to increased cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

Both sides have conducted strikes deeper into their respective territories, prompting fears of a potential full-scale war in Lebanon.

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