Current:Home > InvestGunman who tried to attack U.S. Embassy in Lebanon shot and captured by Lebanese forces -Zenith Investment School
Gunman who tried to attack U.S. Embassy in Lebanon shot and captured by Lebanese forces
View
Date:2025-04-17 01:41:28
Beirut — A gunman was shot and captured by Lebanese soldiers after attempting to attack the U.S. Embassy Wednesday, the Lebanese military said. The embassy is outside Beirut.
The attack took place as tension continued to simmer in the tiny Mediterranean country, where months of fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops has displaced thousands along the two countries' shared border.
The cross-border tension has escalated recently, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — under pressure from far-right members of his cabinet to go after Hezbollah — visited the northern border area Wednesday and warned that his government was prepared to take "very strong action" against the Iran-backed group.
The Lebanese military said in a statement that soldiers shot one assailant, whom they described only as a Syrian national. The gunman was taken to a hospital.
The U.S. Embassy said small arms fire was reported near its entrance but the gunfire didn't wound any of its staff members and that Lebanese troops and embassy security mobilized quickly. In a statement posted online, the embassy said it would remain closed to the public on Wednesday but planned to reopen "for general business as usual" from Thursday.
The embassy urged U.S. citizens in Lebanon to monitor the State Department website for alerts relevant to the country and warned Americans against all travel to Lebanon's border regions with both Israel and Syria.
"In all parts of Lebanon, you should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests," the embassy said.
A Lebanese security official earlier told The Associated Press there were four assailants, including one who drove the gunmen to the site and three who opened fire, and some local media also reported multiple suspects, but official accounts mentioned only one shooter and videos from the scene showed security forces engaging with only one person.
The motive wasn't immediately clear, but Lebanese media published photos that appear to show a bloodied attacker wearing a black vest with the words "Islamic State" written in Arabic and the English initials "I" and "S." ISIS is also known as the Islamic State.
Local media reported a gunfight for almost half an hour near the U.S. diplomatic mission in the suburb of Aukar, north of Beirut.
CBS News correspondent Imtiaz Tyab reports that the U.S. Embassy compound just north of Beirut is an extremely secured area, with several checkpoints to cross before you can get anywhere near its entrance.
A statement from Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati's office said he was informed following meetings with the defense minister and army commander that the situation was stable and that investigations were underway.
The Lebanese military said it deployed troops around the embassy and surrounding areas.
In 1983, a deadly bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut killed 63 people. U.S. officials blamed the attack on the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Following that attack, the embassy was moved from central Beirut to the Christian suburb of Aukar, north of the capital. Another bomb attack struck the new location on Sept. 20, 1984.
In September 2023, Lebanese security forces detained a Lebanese man who opened fire by the U.S. Embassy. There were no casualties in that attack.
In October 2023, hundreds of protesters clashed with Lebanese security forces in demonstrations near the U.S. Embassy in support of Gaza's people and the militant group Hamas in its war with Israel.
- In:
- ISIS
- Israel
- U.S. Embassy
- Lebanon
- Middle East
- Beirut
veryGood! (34)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Colorado man and 34 cows struck and killed by lightning in Jackson County
- Congress defies its own law, fails to install plaque honoring Jan. 6 police officers
- After a deadly heat wave last summer, metro Phoenix is changing tactics
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- To those finally examining police overreach due to Scottie Scheffler's arrest: Welcome
- European space telescope photos reveal new insights in deep space
- Want to be a Roth IRA millionaire? 3 tips all retirees should know
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Man charged for setting New York City subway passenger on fire
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after US holiday quiet
- Aaron Judge continues to put on show for the ages, rewriting another page in record book
- Biden says each generation has to ‘earn’ freedom, in solemn Memorial Day remarks
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Walmart ends credit card partnership with Capital One: What to know
- Massachusetts man arrested after stabbing attack in AMC theater, McDonald's injured 6 people
- In the 4 years since George Floyd was killed, Washington can't find a path forward on police reform
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Nobody hurt after plane’s engine catches fire at Chicago O’Hare airport
14-time champion Rafael Nadal loses in the French Open’s first round to Alexander Zverev
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, At First I Was Afraid
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Wisconsin judge to hear union lawsuit against collective bargaining restrictions
Rangers captain Jacob Trouba addresses elbow vs. Panthers' Evan Rodrigues, resulting fine
What retail stores are open Memorial Day 2024? Hours for Target, Home Depot, IKEA and more