SPOT COMMENTARY: US EMBASSY ANNEX IN EAST BEIRUT BOMBED

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05832058
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 24, 2019
• Case Number: F-2019-00121
• Publication Date: September 20, 1984

Approved for Release: 2019/09/23 C05832058
tAti
NOFORN N TRACT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
#1/20 September 1984
SPOT CONDEOTARY: US Embassy Annex in East Beirut Bombed
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the large car bomb
that exploded In front of the US Embassy annex in East Beirut
this merging, destroying much of the building. Latest reports
from the Embassy indicate two US military personnel and six
Lebanese nationals were killed and 12 US personnel wounded,
luciudimg Ambassaidor BarthoIemew. Casualty details, however, are
still sketchy. The US Embassy facility in Vest Beirut was
evamated after the attack. lmito_
The vehicle apparently was a van that forced its way onto
the compound. Embassy security guards fired at the vehicle
before it exploded. -164-,
Commemt: Radical Lebanese Shias almost certainly conducted
,---4140isiimmi4mis. The Islamic Jihad�believed to be a cover name-
/ used bgr pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon and elsewhere�threatened
/ orlIlimplumdmmr to, attack US interests it the Middle East in
retarlatiest for the US veto of the DO Security Council resolution
crittctring Israeli practices in southern Lebanon. On 17
September, a previously unknown group threatened to attack
Ambassadmr1Bartheemew and US interests in Lebanon, also because
of the veto. Earlier, on 1 August, the Islamic Jihad threatened
to strike US targets in East Beirut soon after the DS Embassy
annex4ppmmed there./
Iran s Embassy in Damascus
coordinates radical Shia activities in Lebanon. 163-11E-.W1
The successful bombing attack in East Beirut. an area
controlled kw Christian forces, indicates that groups hostile to
the ImilmAVStates have a capability to strike anywhereLebanon- 1r1-411.1
in
Approved for Release: 2019/09/23 C05832058,