Lori Hickey

A Lebanon-based al Qaeda-linked group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Lebanon which took place yesterday nearby Iran’s embassy compound. Both explosions were confirmed to be suicide attacks. Several sources are reporting that the bombs were contained in an SUV and motorcycle. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades threatened further attacks if Iran and its terrorist proxy Hezbollah fails to withdraw from Syria. At least 23 people were killed and 146 wounded in the attack. One of the victims was an Iranian cultural ambassador Ebrahim Ansari. The religious guide of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, Sheikh Sirajeddine Zuraiqat, posted on Twitter acknowledging the group’s attack, and called it a double martyrdom operation carried out by “Sunni heroes of Lebanon.” The deadly incidents took place on the eve of talks between Iran and the international community over their controversial nuclear program, and as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces made strategic gains in Syria.

The MSA Research and Intelligence Team has been following this situation closely, and has identified the following implications as part of their terrorism threat analysis:
      • The attack carried out by the Abdullah Azzam Brigades is being called an “unprecedented provocation” against Iran in Lebanon, as the group targeted a high-level government institution. 
          
      • The conflict in Syria has been slowly seeping into Lebanon since Iranian-backed Hezbollah announced its support for the Syrian regime. 
          
      • Additionally, it has further fueled the sectarian conflict that has been simmering in Lebanon for decades. 
         
      • Although Iran’s military assistance has been costly at a time when the country’s economy is suffering from Western-backed sanctions, Syria remains strategically important in Iran’s struggle against Israel. 
         
      • As a result, it is in Iran’s interest to prevent the Sunni rebels from taking power in Syria, which would lead to a loss of support for Iran in the region. 
         
      • Despite the bold attack, Iran is unlikely to retaliate as it could negatively affect ongoing international negotiations over their nuclear program. 
         
      • Instead, Iranian officials blamed Israel for the attack, which is a common enemy of both Iran and the al Qaeda-affiliated rebel group. There has been a recent uptick in attacks stemming from Sunni jihadist groups in the region that appear to be steadily escalating. 
         
      • There is potential for an increase in attacks against Hezbollah and the Iranian government in Lebanon. 
         
      • Furthermore, Iranian assets are vulnerable to similar attacks in other countries impacted by the conflict in Syria, particularly Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey. 
         
      • In the near term, Iran’s involvement in Syria will likely result in further attacks on Lebanese soil.
         
Sign Up to Receive the Latest MSA Intel

 

Subscribe to Blog