The Lebanese army, backed by state security, arrested five people suspected of involvement in the gunfire shooting that targeted the US embassy in Awkar earlier Wednesday.
One Lebanese and four Syrians were arrested in Majdal Anjar and Souayri, in the Bekaa region, during searches carried out following the attack in the two villages, according to a statement from the Lebanese army.
Among the suspects, Qatada Farraj, the brother of the assailant, Qays Farraj, and a Syrian cleric who is believed to have indoctrinated him. Explosive devices and bomb-making materials were found at the home of Qatada Farraj.
According to the Lebanese army, the shooter is of Syrian nationality, Qayss Farraj, and he is registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In a publication on X, the army reported that “the soldiers deployed in the area responded to the shots fired, wounding the gunman, who was arrested and transferred to hospital.”
A judicial source quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP), said the attacker claimed to have acted “in support of the people of Gaza.”
Three other people were also arrested by the security forces, according to the local Al Jadeed TV channel, which reported that they are all affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (Daech).
The National News Agency said State Security in the Bekaa region succeeded in arresting the shooter’s brother in coordination with the intelligence directorate. “On the advice of the public prosecutor at the Bekaa Court of Appeal, Judge Mounif Barakat, the detainee was handed over to the competent authorities and the investigation began,” the agency said.
Following the attack, the Lebanese army carried out searches in Majdel Anjar and Souayra in the Bekaa.
In turn, the US embassy announced it will be closed to the public for the rest of Wednesday, in a security alert issued early this afternoon. It plans to open “as usual” on Thursday, according to a statement.
In this context, U.S. citizens residing in Lebanon have been advised to follow the alerts on Travel.State.Gov and to closely monitor the news for the latest developments that may affect homeland security.
Under the Travel.State.Gov guide to Lebanon, U.S. citizens are requested to avoid traveling to the border areas between Lebanon and Israel, and between Lebanon and Syria, as well as to refugee camps. They are also advised to “avoid demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests”, reads the embassy website.
Earlier in the morning, the US embassy said that “small arms fire was reported near the entrance to the US embassy at 8:34am”. “Thanks to the rapid response of the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces and the embassy security team, our facilities and staff are safe,” read a statement on X.
“Investigations are underway and we are in close contact with the host country’s law enforcement agencies,” the text said.
