On 27 June 2016, eight suicide bombers carried out a series of explosions in the Lebanese Christian town of Qaa in Baalbeck-Hermel, near the Syrian border, killing 5 civilians and injuring around 30 others.[1]
| 2016 Qaa attacks | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon | |
  | |
| Location | Qaa, Lebanon |
| Date | 27 June 2016 |
Attack type | suicide bombing |
| Weapons | Explosives and suicide vests |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Injured | 13–30 |
| Perpetrators | Islamic State (alleged but denied) |
Attack
editMorning attacks
editOn a Monday morning, a perpetrator, riding a motorcycle, threw a grenade towards a gathering of worshipers in front of a church and then blew himself up with an explosive belt. This was followed by a second suicide bomber riding a bicycle who blew himself up as well. Two other perpetrators attacked the town but an army intelligence unit chased one of them forcing him to detonate his vest without injuring other pedestrians.[2] The other suicide bomber tried to attack a military center, but he was also given chase by security forces according to a statement by the Lebanese Army Command.[3][4]
Evening attacks
editThese bombings were succeeded by four suicide bombings at dawn in other parts of the town; 2 of which were near a church.[5][6]
Aftermath
editThe Qaa attacks got the attention of Lebanese security forces as they cracked down on illegal emigrants and wanted criminals. Security forces raided Syrian refugee camps the day after the attack and arrested 103 Syrians for not having legal documents and nine motorbikes were confiscated.[7][8]
International reactions
edit- The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the suicidal terrorist operations that took place in the Lebanese town of Al-Qaa, and affirmed Iraq's support for the people and government of Lebanon.
- The United States condemned the terrorist bombings in the Lebanese town of Al-Qaa, and affirmed its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in confronting terrorism.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Lebanon army detains 100 Syrians after Qaa bombings". BBC News. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Kullab, Samya. "Terror Attacks Test Lebanon's Welcome for Syrian Refugees". www.worldpoliticsreview.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Lebanese Christian village hit with eight suicide attacks in one day – Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Hubbard, Ben; Saad, Hwaida (28 June 2016). "Elaborate Suicide Attack Hits Christian Village in Lebanon". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Second wave of suicide attacks hits Lebanon village". Aljazeera. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Heightened terror threat in Lebanon after suicide attacks near Syria". The Guardian. Beirut. Reuters. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon army detains 100 Syrians after Qaa bombings". BBC News. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Aftermath of the al-Qaa Terrorist Attack: Shifts in Lebanese Politics". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "6/27/2016 – Qaa Attack". www.travelinsured.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.