As conflicting reports emerge regarding the number of attackers involved in the assault on the American embassy in Lebanon, media sources indicated today, Thursday, that there are currently 16 individuals arrested in connection with the attack. A judicial source quoted the Syrian attacker, "Qais al-Faraj," who sustained severe injuries yesterday from army gunfire during the clashes that erupted between the sides, stating that he acted "in support of Gaza."
It was revealed that the armed assailant, residing in Majdal Anjar in the Bekaa region of eastern Lebanon, carried out the attack "alone." A security official reported that "a Lebanese employee was injured in the eye from the attacker's gunfire."
Further information indicated that the assailant was wearing a "ISIS insignia" on his chest. Video footage circulated showing the attacker on the ground covered in blood, wearing a vest emblazoned with "caliphate," referring to ISIS, after being shot by the army.
The army's General Command - Directorate of Orientation issued a statement yesterday noting that "a patrol from the Directorate of Intelligence and a unit from the army raided several homes in the towns of Al-Suwairi and Majdal Anjar - Western Bekaa and arrested the Syrian (A.J.) and the citizen (A.Z.) on suspicion of their connection with the Syrian (Q.F.) who shot at the embassy, and three of his family members," confirming the continuation of raids while investigations are ongoing under the supervision of the relevant judiciary.
It is worth noting that this incident was not the first of its kind, as a man also opened fire on the American embassy last year. However, that attack did not result in any casualties. At that time, Lebanese authorities announced the arrest of the perpetrator, confirming that he was merely a delivery worker who sought "revenge" for being insulted by a security personnel.
