Lebanese soldiers shot and apprehended a gunman after a confrontation outside the U.S. Embassy near Beirut on Wednesday morning, according to the military.
The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions in Lebanon, where prolonged clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces have displaced thousands along the border, following years of political stalemate and economic struggles.
The Lebanese military reported that the assailant, identified only as a Syrian national, was injured and hospitalized after being shot.
The attacker’s motives remain unknown, although Lebanese media shared images of a bloodied man in a vest labeled “Islamic State” in both Arabic and English.
Local reports indicated a gunfight involving at least one attacker that lasted nearly 30 minutes.
Social media footage showed a gunman firing an assault rifle in a parking lot near the embassy entrance.
The U.S. Embassy confirmed that no staff members were harmed and praised the swift response of Lebanese troops and embassy security.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office stated that the situation had stabilized after consultations with the defense minister and army commander, and thorough investigations are ongoing.
The Lebanese military has stationed troops around the embassy and nearby areas.
This attack follows a history of violence against the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, including a 1983 bombing that killed 63 people, attributed to Hezbollah, and a 1984 bombing at the embassy’s new location in Aukar.
More recently, in September 2023, a Lebanese man fired shots near the embassy without causing any injuries.
