Security Tightened as Gunman Captured After US Embassy Attack in Lebanon

A gunman launched an attack near the U.S. embassy in Beirut, leading to a confrontation with Lebanese soldiers that resulted in the assailant being shot and apprehended on Wednesday morning. This incident, which left an embassy security guard wounded, unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions in Lebanon, marked by prolonged political stalemate and economic difficulties, as well as recent skirmishes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces displacing thousands along the border.

Local reports describe a gunfight that ensued for nearly 30 minutes with at least one attacker involved. Joe Abdo, an eyewitness working at a nearby gas station, recounted hearing "around 15 to 20 rounds of gunfire" during the incident. The area was quickly cordoned off by the army, preventing further access.

The attacker's motives remain unclear, though Lebanese media circulated images showing the assailant in a black vest adorned with "Islamic State" in Arabic and the initials "I" and "S" in English. No group, including the Islamic State, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Identified as a resident of Majdal Anjar, a town near the Lebanese-Syrian border, initial reports mistakenly identified the gunman as a Syrian national. This discrepancy was later clarified by Lebanese military and security officials who conducted raids in Majdal Anjar and Suweiri, arresting three relatives of the suspect and two associates. These operations did not uncover additional gunmen or evidence of an extremist cell.

The suspect sustained injuries to his stomach and leg before being detained and is currently receiving medical treatment at a military hospital in Beirut. The U.S. Embassy confirmed that one of their security guards was injured during the attack and is now recovering, though further details were withheld to respect his privacy.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller acknowledged the seriousness of the guard's injuries and mentioned that officials were aware of the suspect's attire suggestive of IS affiliation but have yet to determine the shooting's motive. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has been briefed on the situation, with assurances given that stability has been restored and thorough investigations are underway.

The Lebanese military has since increased its presence around the embassy and its vicinity to prevent further incidents. This attack recalls the tragic history of violence against U.S. diplomatic sites in Beirut, including the devastating 1983 embassy bombing attributed to Hezbollah and another bombing in 1984 after relocating to Aukar. More recently, in September 2023, a Lebanese man was detained for opening fire near the U.S. Embassy without causing any casualties, followed by October protests near the embassy premises supporting Gaza and Hamas amidst their conflict with Israel.