BEIRUT. A gunman fired shots at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon on Wednesday, leading to an exchange of fire with Lebanese troops that left the attacker wounded, according to the Lebanese army.
The suspect, identified as a Syrian national, was apprehended and transported to a hospital for treatment. Soldiers are conducting a thorough search of the area to ensure no other gunmen are present.
Following the incident, the embassy announced it would remain closed to the public for the rest of Wednesday but plans to resume normal operations on Thursday, June 6. “Small arms fire was reported near our entrance this morning. The facility and staff are safe,” the embassy stated. Diplomatic sources confirmed that U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson is currently traveling outside Lebanon.
A Lebanese security source informed Reuters that the gunman was wounded in the stomach during the confrontation. Additionally, a member of the embassy’s security team sustained minor injuries. The embassy spokesperson has not commented on any injuries among the guards.
Pictures of the alleged attacker, verified and geolocated by Reuters, show the suspect near the embassy. The Arabic writing on his vest included the word “Islamic.” As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response to the shooting, Lebanese security forces established checkpoints around the embassy, with a U.S.-made helicopter provided to the Lebanese army patrolling the area. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is actively monitoring the situation with the defense minister and security forces.
The U.S. Embassy is located north of Beirut in a highly secured zone featuring multiple checkpoints. It was relocated from central Beirut after a 1983 suicide bombing that killed over 60 people.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in September when shots were fired near the embassy without causing any injuries. Additionally, in mid-October, during the early days of the Gaza conflict, a large protest took place outside the embassy, which was dispersed by Lebanese security forces using tear gas and water cannons.
Lebanon has been a focal point of conflict between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel since October, parallel to the Gaza war. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands being displaced on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, raising concerns about an escalation.
Meanwhile, in a separate event, a member of Lebanon’s internal security forces assigned to the Saudi embassy in Lebanon died by suicide outside the embassy on Wednesday, as confirmed by a security and a diplomatic source. The security guard reportedly shot himself in the head, with sources indicating he had mental health issues.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
