A suicide bomber and car bomb detonated outside of the Iranian embassy in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on 19 November. The blast in the Bir Hassan district left at least 23 people dead and 146 more wounded. Among the fatalities were members of the Iranian diplomatic representation. It is unclear at this time which group coordinated the attack; however, given the location and target of the attack a connection to the Syrian conflict is likely. Sunni rebels and militant groups battling the Syrian regime have threatened to carry out retaliatory attacks against the Syrian government's allies, specifically Hezbollah, which maintains a strong presence in southern Beirut, and Iran, on a number of occasions since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. There is evidence to suggest that the spate of recent bombings in Beirut and the wider country are directly connected to the conflict in Syria (see below). The ongoing fighting in Syria will continue to stoke tensions and further retaliatory action is likely in Lebanon.
On 14 October, the local authorities reportedly defused a 'car bomb' in the Maamura area of southern Beirut. The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
On 15 August, a car bomb detonated in the Ruwaiss area of southern Beirut, killing at least 16 people and wounding 200 others. The attack was claimed by the Brigade of Aisha, the Mother of the Faithful. The Lebanese president blamed Israel for the attack.
On 9 July, a car bomb exploded in Beirut's Bir al-Abed suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, wounding 37 people.
On 26 May, two rockets were fired into the southern Shiyah area of Beirut, wounding four people. The wounded were Syrian nationals. Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in the affected area.
On 9/10 April, Hezbollah militia discovered and defused a bomb in Beirut's Hay al-Sellom area. The device had inscriptions indicating a link to the Syria-based al-Nusra Front.
On 28 January, a bomb exploded under a car in Beirut's Hay al-Sellom area, wounding two people.
On 14 October, the local authorities reportedly defused a 'car bomb' in the Maamura area of southern Beirut. The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
On 15 August, a car bomb detonated in the Ruwaiss area of southern Beirut, killing at least 16 people and wounding 200 others. The attack was claimed by the Brigade of Aisha, the Mother of the Faithful. The Lebanese president blamed Israel for the attack.
On 9 July, a car bomb exploded in Beirut's Bir al-Abed suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, wounding 37 people.
On 26 May, two rockets were fired into the southern Shiyah area of Beirut, wounding four people. The wounded were Syrian nationals. Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in the affected area.
On 9/10 April, Hezbollah militia discovered and defused a bomb in Beirut's Hay al-Sellom area. The device had inscriptions indicating a link to the Syria-based al-Nusra Front.
On 28 January, a bomb exploded under a car in Beirut's Hay al-Sellom area, wounding two people.
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