The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) reported that its outgoing deputy commander sustained injuries following a violent assault on one of its convoys. The incident occurred while the convoy was transporting peacekeepers to Beirut airport, where it faced an aggressive attack that resulted in one of its vehicles being set ablaze.
Context of the attack
Protests have erupted along the route to the airport as demonstrators reacted to the Lebanese government’s decision to prevent two Iranian aircraft from landing. The attack on Unifil has drawn condemnation from both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese military, who have pledged to pursue those responsible for the violence.
Details of the incident
Various videos circulating on social media depict a white UN vehicle engulfed in flames, while a group of young men carrying yellow flags pursued and assaulted individuals presumed to be peacekeepers trying to escape the chaos. Additional footage captures a mob kicking and climbing onto a convoy of three UN vehicles on a darkened road.
“We are shocked by this outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have been serving to restore security and stability to south Lebanon during a difficult time,” the United Nations stated.
Unifil emphasized that such assaults on peacekeepers represent serious breaches of international law and could potentially be classified as war crimes, urging Lebanese authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hold the perpetrators accountable.
President Aoun characterized the attack as “unacceptable” and insisted that similar incidents must not recur. In a social media message from the presidency, he asserted that “the security forces will not be lenient with any party that tries to destabilize and undermine civil peace in the country.”
The unrest is linked to the presence of Hezbollah supporters who have congregated outside Beirut’s airport since Thursday, protesting against the government’s stance that has left many Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran. This situation follows allegations from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding Iran’s Quds Force allegedly using international flights to facilitate money smuggling intended to supply arms to Hezbollah.
Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic spokesman, claimed that despite ongoing efforts, some attempts to smuggle funds have likely succeeded.
The Amal movement, an ally of Hezbollah, condemned the attack on Unifil as an assault on southern Lebanon and a direct threat to civil peace. In response to the violence, Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar announced plans to convene a security meeting on Saturday, labeling the attack as a “crime against peacekeeping forces.”
Established to oversee a buffer zone along the Israeli border after the 2006 Lebanon war, Unifil maintains various posts throughout southern Lebanon, working to uphold regional stability.