An attack on the US Embassy in the Awkar area of Beirut, Lebanon, occurred on Wednesday morning, when a Syrian national opened fire on the facility. Lebanese army forces responded promptly, injuring the attacker, who was then hospitalized. During the incident, one embassy guard was wounded, and there are conflicting reports about the death of another guard. The embassy has confirmed that all staff members are safe and that an investigation is in progress. Local media released images of the attacker wearing a vest marked with the words ‘Islamic State’ and the initials ‘I’ and ‘S’ in Arabic and English, indicating a potential extremist motive behind the attack. The area around the embassy was cordoned off by army patrols as the investigation continued. This is not the first incident targeting the US Embassy in Beirut, with previous gunfire reported in September and protests occurring in October.
Key points
- The US Embassy in Beirut was attacked by gunfire from a Syrian national, resulting in the injury of the attacker and one guard.
- Lebanese army troops quickly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety of embassy personnel.
- Images of the attacker suggest a possible link to the Islamic State, hinting at a motive for the attack.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports regarding the number of attackers, with some sources mentioning one Syrian national and others reporting three individuals.
Additionally, there are conflicting reports about a guard being killed, while other sources mention only injuries.
