UNIFIL commander injured in protest attack near Beirut airport

The outgoing deputy commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Chok Bahadur Dhakal, was injured on Friday night when his convoy was intercepted by protesters near Beirut airport. The demonstrators set his vehicle on fire as he was heading to the airport to depart for Nepal after concluding his mission. Despite the intervention of the Lebanese army, several UN peacekeepers were wounded in the attack.

In a statement, UNIFIL denounced the assault as a serious breach of international law, warning that such actions could be classified as war crimes. The mission expressed deep shock over the violence against peacekeepers dedicated to maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would face justice. He emphasized that security forces would act firmly against any attempts to disrupt national stability. The incident occurred amid protests led by Hezbollah supporters, who blocked access to the airport for a second consecutive day. The demonstrations followed the Lebanese government’s decision to ban Iranian flights from landing in Beirut, a move prompted by Israeli allegations that Iran was using civilian aircraft to fund Hezbollah.

The Lebanese army’s acting commander, Major-General Hassan Odeh, pledged to cooperate with UNIFIL to apprehend and prosecute those involved. Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar labeled the assault a crime against UNIFIL forces and called for an emergency security meeting.

The United States also condemned the attack, linking it to Hezbollah supporters and praising the Lebanese army for its swift response. Meanwhile, Hezbollah distanced itself from the violence, attributing it to "unruly elements" with ulterior motives. The Amal Movement, a political ally of Hezbollah, criticized the attack, stating it harmed southern Lebanon’s reputation and urged security forces to pursue the perpetrators.

UNIFIL, originally established in 1978 to oversee Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, expanded its mission after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Despite their peacekeeping role, UNIFIL forces have faced recurring hostility from both Hezbollah and Israel. Recent tensions saw Israeli forces target UNIFIL positions during military operations in southern Lebanon, exacerbating the security crisis in the region.