Gunmen open fire on US embassy in Beirut as manhunt launched
Terrifying footage posted on social media shows residents running inside for cover after multiple shots were fired
A suspect accused of firing multiple shots at the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early hours of June 5, has been injured in an exchange of fire, while other attackers are reportedly on the run.
Terrifying footage filmed near the embassy shows people taking cover inside a building as gunshots can be heard in the distance.
Local media mentioned two more suspects were on the run following the incident.
The Lebanese Army spoke of only one gunman, identified as a Syrian national, adding its soldiers managed to wound and stop him.
A statement shared on social media read: "The US Embassy in Lebanon in the Awkar area was exposed to gunfire by a person holding Syrian nationality. Army members deployed in the area responded to the sources of fire, wounding the shooter.
"He was arrested and transferred to a hospital for treatment. Follow-up is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident."
In a separate message, the Lebanese Army said to have deployed units in the area surrounding the embassy to conduct an "inspection" and are "working to implement the necessary security measures to maintain the security of the area".
The US Embassy in Beirut confirmed the shooting had taken place in a statement published on X.
It read: "At 8.34am local time, small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the US Embassy. Thanks to the quick reaction of the LAF, ISF, and our Embassy security team, our facility and our team are safe. Investigations are underway and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement."
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The US Embassy is located in the Awkar suburb north of Beirut, in an area surrounded by checkpoints. It was moved here after the suicide attack at the old embassy in 1983 that killed more than 60 people.
Despite being located in an area with high security in place, this isn't the first incident targeting the US Embassy.
Shots were fired by a man near the building in September last year, but no one was injured and the shooter was quickly detained by the local army.
A few weeks later, following the beginning of the war in Gaza, many protesters gathered outside the embassy to voice their opposition to the Israeli airstrikes.
