Investigation launched into yesterday's attack on UNIFIL patrol in South Lebanon

BEIRUT — An investigation has been opened into Tuesday’s attack on a UN peacekeeping patrol outside the village of Ramyeh in South Lebanon.

Here’s what we know:

    • On Tuesday, UNIFIL announced that a patrol was “attacked” on a public road west of Ramyeh after their cars were “intercepted.” One soldier was injured, according to a UNIFIL spokesperson.

    • Two vehicles were reportedly attacked and the perpetrators stole “a number of objects,” according to the statement. The Lebanese Army was present on the scene and eventually succeeded in easing tensions.

    • On Wednesday, President Michel Aoun informed the UN special coordinator in Lebanon Yoana Frontka that an investigation has been opened into the incident and to determine responsibility for the attack, the state-run National News Agency reported.

    • Aoun reportedly stressed Lebanon’s rejection of attacks on the international forces operating in the south and emphasized the need to coordinate with the army to avoid similar incidents.

    • Attacks against UNIFIL soldiers have become frequent in recent months during the passage of convoys in the south, a region considered a stronghold of Hezbollah. At the end of December, tensions arose between a UNIFIL patrol and residents of Shaqra, in Bint Jbeil. This attack was deplored by the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, which opened an investigation.