OAN’s Brooke Mallory
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 3:23 PM
A gunman opened fire at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon on Wednesday, wounding a security guard but was quickly arrested by Lebanese authorities.
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The name of the shooter has not been released.
Reuters Journalists were told, and the US State Department confirmed, that the shooter had the words “ISIS” in English and “Islamic State” in Arabic written on his clothing.
“We are aware that the individual arrested was wearing what appears to be ISIS insignia, but we are conducting a full investigation together with Lebanese authorities to determine the actual motive,” spokesman Matthew Miller told a news conference.
According to a source who spoke to Associated PressShortly thereafter, Lebanese forces raided the man’s hometown of Majdal Anjar and arrested his relatives, but found no evidence of links to terrorist organisations.
He also said the attacker appeared to be acting alone and was probably not associated with ISIS but supported it in spirit.
“The US embassy in Beirut’s northern suburb of Awkar reported “small arms fire” at around 8:30 a.m. local time. A security guard exchanged gunfire with the assailants and was shot in the stomach and leg, officials said,” the news agency reported. Daily News.
Officials reported that a Lebanese security guard at the embassy was also injured in the incident and taken to hospital.
US rebel groups have frequently targeted the US embassy in Lebanon. Previously, in 1983, Hezbollah carried out a suicide bomb attack at the US embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people. After the explosion, the embassy was moved from Beirut to Awkar.
Most recently, President Biden visited Israel just days after the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack.NumberAngry protesters gathered outside the embassy.
Embassy officials who spoke to Middle East Correspondents said the building will remain closed until Wednesday while authorities conduct further investigations into the shooting.
Lebanon’s acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he was aware of the attack and was checking with senior defense officials.
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