Gunshots heard near the US embassy in Beirut; a Syrian suspect apprehended.
At 08:34 local time (07:34 GMT), some shots were heard near the entrance to a heavily guarded building. Thanks to the prompt actions of the Lebanese army, security forces, and the embassy's own security team, the facility and its occupants remained unharmed. The incident was reported by the embassy on X.
Interestingly enough, a similar incident occurred back in September of the previous year when a gunman tried to shoot at the same embassy, but no one was injured this time either. According to Lebanese police, the shooter was a delivery driver who felt wronged by the security personnel.
The region has a history of violence towards US diplomatic and military representations. The Lebanese civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, saw multiple attacks on these entities. Islamists even took American hostages in 1983. One of these attacks resulted in a suicide bombing at the embassy in Awkar, causing the unfortunate deaths of 63 people.
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The firearm used in the incident was never identified, but the swift response prevented any serious damage. The Syrian suspect was reportedly carrying a message associated with the incident, although its content remains unknown. Despite the tense situation, the US Embassy in Beirut continues to operate, a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
