James Myers of OAN
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 8:32 AM
The Lebanese army thwarted a gunman’s attack on the US Embassy in Lebanon in Beirut on Wednesday morning.
advertisement
The Lebanese army said the Syrian attacker was wounded and taken to hospital for treatment, and that soldiers were searching the scene to see if other militants were involved.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy said it had received reports of small-scale gunfire near the embassy entrance during the morning.
The attack came as tensions began to ease in Beirut, where months of fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces had forced thousands to flee along the border.
Earlier reports had said one gunman was dead and that a total of four gunmen were involved, two Lebanese security and judicial officials familiar with the incident later said. Associated Press The attack appears to have been carried out by a single gunman.
Diplomatic sources said US Ambassador Lisa Johnson is currently on a visit outside Lebanon.
Lebanese security sources Reuters The Lebanese army wounded the gunman in the abdomen.
Security sources also said a member of the embassy’s security team suffered minor injuries.
The US Embassy in Beirut’s northern suburb of Awkar said “small arms fire” was reported near the embassy entrance at about 8:34 a.m. local time, but that the premises and staff were safe.
“Thanks to the swift response of host country security forces and our embassy security team, our facilities and staff are safe,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. “The investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement. The embassy will be closed to the public for the remainder of today, June 5, but plans to resume normal public operations tomorrow, June 6.”
The embassy also said US citizens in Lebanon should exercise caution. Travel.State.Government “Please monitor alerts and news closely for the latest developments that may affect your national security.”
“An investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement authorities,” the embassy wrote on “X,” the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The U.S. Embassy is located north of Beirut, within a high-security area with multiple checkpoints along the route to the embassy.
The embassy was moved from Beirut following a suicide bombing in 1983 that killed more than 60 people.
Following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attackNumber Protesters gathered outside the embassy to protest against Israel and call for an end to the war.
Lebanese security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
Lebanon has been in the midst of a conflict between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel since October, parallel to the Middle East war.
Travel advisories were issued before the attacks urging Americans to avoid traveling to the Lebanon-Israel border area, the Lebanon-Syria border area, and refugee settlements.
“Across Lebanon, people should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution near sites of large gatherings or protests,” the advisory said.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
Please share this post!
