The U.S. Embassy in Beirut commemorated the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. Embassy on April 18, 1983, today, where a suicide bomber attacked the embassy, resulting in the deaths of 63 people, including 52 Lebanese and American staff. On this occasion, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea stated, “Those who made the decision to violently assassinate our colleagues and injure our embassy family have underestimated us; they did not understand that the bonds we all share remain strong despite the fear and intimidation they may attempt to instill.” She continued, “Let us show, through our ongoing commitment to this community and these shared goals, that Hezbollah has failed in its efforts to break us.” She pointed out that “no one can break the determination we all share to work together, care for one another, and support a better future for the Lebanese people.” Shea expressed that both the American and Lebanese peoples possess the strength and will to continue moving toward a brighter and more peaceful future.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also delivered remarks, stating, “63 of our American and Lebanese colleagues, friends, and loved ones were killed in a terrorist attack by Hezbollah on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. They were all working together to build a better future for the country and the region.” He added, “On the 40th anniversary of the attack, we continue to mourn those who lost their lives, honor their sacrifices, and the people in Lebanon still live under the threat of violence from Hezbollah and its sponsor, Iran.” Blinken noted that the United States is committed to combating terrorism wherever it occurs, ensuring the safety of its colleagues serving their country, and continues to stand with the Lebanese people as they often face deep obstacles in building a more stable, secure, and prosperous future. He concluded, “On this solemn day, we reaffirm our commitment to these enduring goals and partnerships, including with the Lebanese people, who will help us achieve them.”
In parallel, the U.S. State Department announced a reward of $7 million for information leading to the location, arrest, and conviction of Hezbollah leader Ibrahim Aqil. It tweeted, “Forty years ago today, the Islamic Jihad Organization, of which Ibrahim Aqil was a member, participated in the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.” It added that Aqil, “also known as Tahseen, works in the Jihad Council, the military wing of Hezbollah.”
