21 September 2023; MEMO: Shots were fired outside the US Embassy in Lebanon late on Wednesday evening, but no casualties were reported, Reuters has reported.
“Small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance of the embassy at 10.37pm local time,” explained Embassy Spokesman Jake Nelson. “There were no injuries, and our facility is safe. We are in close contact with [the Lebanese] law enforcement authorities.”
According to local media, shots were fired from a black car towards the main entrance of the US Embassy in the Awkar area. Reports added that investigations indicate that the bullets were Kalashnikov-types, and that a military vehicle belonging to the embassy was hit. Exceptional measures were taken immediately, and the road was blocked.
The US Embassy, which is guarded heavily, is located north of Beirut in the town of Awkar, and security incidents around it are rare. The embassy was moved from Beirut after an attack in 1983, which killed more than 60 people.
