AUKAR, Lebanon (AP) — A gunman who attacked the U.S. embassy close to Beirut was shot and captured by Lebanese troopers after a Wednesday morning shootout that injured an embassy safety guard, the navy and embassy officers mentioned.
The assault passed off as tensions simmered in the tiny Mediterranean nation, the place months of preventing between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops has displaced 1000’s alongside the border, following years of political impasse and financial hardship.
Local media reported that there was a gunfight involving no less than one attacker and lasting nearly half an hour.
Joe Abdo, who works at a fuel station close to the compound mentioned he heard “around 15 to 20 rounds of gunfire” whereas working that morning. “We ran here to see what’s happening and suddenly, the army blocked us from going up,” he instructed The Associated Press.
No motive was instantly clear, however Lebanese media have revealed pictures that seem to point out a bloodied attacker sporting a black vest with the phrases “Islamic State” written in Arabic and the English initials “I” and “S.”
The Islamic State has not claimed the assault, nor has some other group.
A Lebanese safety official and two judicial officers acquainted with the case mentioned the gunman seemed to be a lone attacker. They recognized him as a resident of the japanese Lebanese border city of Majdal Anjar close to Syria. Earlier, the Lebanese navy recognized the suspect as a Syrian nationwide.
They spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t cleared to talk to the press.
The navy raided each Majdal Anjar and close by Suweiri, the Lebanese military mentioned in a press release, the place it arrested three family members of the suspect and two different individuals believed to be related to him.
The officers mentioned they didn’t discover different gunmen or proof of a doable extremist cell.
The suspect was shot in the abdomen and leg earlier than being captured and brought to the navy hospital in Beirut, in keeping with the officers.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson mentioned in a press release that one embassy safety guard was injured in the assault.
“With respect to his privacy we cannot say more, but we wish him a full recovery,” mentioned the spokesperson, who spoke on situation of anonymity in accordance with laws.
A press release from Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s workplace mentioned that he was knowledgeable following conferences with the protection minister and armed forces commander that the scenario was now secure and that critical investigations are underway.
The Lebanese navy mentioned it deployed troops across the embassy and surrounding areas.
In 1983, a lethal bombing assault on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut killed 63 individuals. U.S. officers blame the assault on the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Following that assault, the embassy was moved from central Beirut to the Christian suburb of Aukar, north of the capital. Another bomb assault struck the brand new location on Sept. 20, 1984.
In September 2023, Lebanese safety forces detained a Lebanese man who opened hearth by the U.S. Embassy. There had been no casualties in that assault.
In October 2023, lots of of protesters clashed with Lebanese safety forces in demonstrations close to the U.S. Embassy in help of Gaza’s individuals and the militant group Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
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Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press author Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.
