The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has tightened its security measures following a shooting incident, resulting in a security cordon around the embassy located in the Awkar area. Traffic has been redirected to secondary roads, and the area has been thoroughly searched for hours, causing severe traffic congestion. U.S. Embassy spokesperson Jake Nelson confirmed that the embassy building was shot at without any injuries occurring.
In a statement to Reuters, Nelson said, "Gunfire was directed at the embassy on Wednesday, with no injuries reported." He further noted, "At 10:37 PM local time, reports came in of gunfire from small arms near the entrance to the U.S. Embassy." He confirmed that "there were no injuries, and our facility is safe. We are in close contact with law enforcement authorities in the host country." The gunfire resulted in only minor damage.
Simon Abou Fadel, editor-in-chief of the "Al Kalam Online" news site, announced via the platform "X" that a Nissan Pathfinder vehicle without plates fired shots at the main entrance of the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, hitting a military vehicle belonging to the embassy. He added, "The vehicle continued its way upwards, and it was determined from the shell casings that the weapon used was an AK-47."
About 20 minutes ago, a Nissan Pathfinder without plates fired shots at the main entrance of the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, hitting a military vehicle belonging to the embassy. The vehicle continued its path upwards, and it was determined from the shell casings that the weapon used was an AK-47.— Simon Abou Fadel (@aboufadelsimon) September 20, 2023
On this day, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea commemorated the 39th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. Embassy building in Awkar in 1984, which resulted in numerous fatalities. The embassy posted on "X" (formerly Twitter), stating, "Today we honor the memory of the U.S. and Lebanese colleagues we lost."
Ambassador Shea and the Embassy community commemorated the 39th anniversary of the September 20, 1984 attack against the U.S. Embassy in Awkar. Today we honor the memory of the U.S. and Lebanese colleagues we lost. pic.twitter.com/TNCdupAg7l— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) September 20, 2023
On this occasion, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea stated, “Those who decided to violently assassinate our colleagues and injure our embassy family have underestimated us. They did not understand that the bonds we share remain strong despite the fear and intimidation they may seek to instill." She added, "Let us show, through our ongoing commitment to this community and these shared goals, that in its efforts to break us, Hezbollah has failed. No one can break the resolve we all share in working together, caring for one another, and supporting a better future for the Lebanese people.” She emphasized that "the American and Lebanese peoples have the strength and will to continue moving toward a brighter and more peaceful future."
