Over 25 Arrested Following Attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

More than 25 people were arrested in Lebanon after an attack on a convoy of United Nations peacekeepers on Friday left two people injured, including a senior commander. The attack took place as Major-General Chok Bahadur Dhakal, a UN peacekeeper, was on his way to the airport after completing his mission. Protesters, believed to be supporters of Hezbollah, blocked the airport road, and clashes erupted as the UN convoy tried to pass through.

The Lebanese army intervened, although not before the peacekeepers were hurt. The peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the attack and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The attack is believed to be connected with the Lebanese government’s decision to block Iranian planes from landing in Beirut, amid suspicions that Iran was smuggling funds to Hezbollah. The attack, said to have been carried out by Hezbollah supporters, was also condemned by the United States. Hezbollah distanced itself from the violence, blaming it on “unruly elements.”

UNIFIL, deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, has often faced criticism and attacks from both Hezbollah and Israel.