US Embassy Attacker Near Beirut Linked to Islamic State
The gunman who attacked the US Embassy near Beirut last month has been accused by a Lebanese court of affiliation with the Islamic State terrorist group, according to military and judicial sources.
Identified by authorities as Syrian national Kaiss Farraj, the attacker, initially believed to have acted alone, opened fire on the American diplomatic compound in early June.
The US facility, located in the Christian suburb of Awkar and spanning over 40 acres, is the world’s second-largest diplomatic structure after the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Although local media reported that the shooter wore a black vest with the letters “I” and “S” in both Arabic and English, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault.
Farraj was apprehended after being wounded by Lebanese soldiers during the shootout.
After taking Farraj into custody, Lebanese security forces raided multiple nearby towns, arresting three relatives of the suspect and two other associates.
Sources who spoke to the press under anonymity claim that the government commissioner has since charged two others with selling Farraj the unlicensed weapon.
