A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy en route to Lebanon’s international airport in Beirut was attacked on Friday night, with the force’s outgoing deputy commander, Nepalese Maj. Gen. Chok Bahadur Dhakal, injured during the incident amid riots shaking the city for two nights running.
INCIDENT UPDATE: A UNIFIL convoy carrying the outgoing Deputy Force Commander, Nepalese Major General Chok Bahadur Dhakal was attacked by unidentified assailants en route to Beirut airport. Dhakal was reportedly injured in the attack, however no casualties have been reported.… pic.twitter.com/Krsztga8sP
— The Risk Intelligence Group (@riskintelgroup) February 15, 2025
The peacekeeping group decried the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by Hezbollah supporters.
“This evening a UNIFIL convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was violently attacked, and a vehicle was set on fire. UNIFIL’s outgoing Deputy Force Commander, who was returning home after ending his mission, was injured,” UNIFIL said in a statement following the attack.
“We are shocked by this outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have been serving to restore security and stability to south Lebanon during a difficult time,” it followed, referring to the fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah signed after more than 13 months of war from Oct. 8, 2023, to Nov. 27, 2024.
“Attacks on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of international law and may amount to war crimes. We demand a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice,” the statement read.
Attacks on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of international law and may amount to war crimes. We demand a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) February 14, 2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack on Saturday and “emphasized that the attackers will receive their punishment,” in a presidency statement on X.
“Security forces will not be lenient with any party that tries to upset stability and civil peace,” it added.
The statement went on to say that Aoun had “followed up on developments regarding roadblocks, setting fires and riots, and issued directives to the army and security forces to put a stop to these practices,” adding that the judiciary “has begun investigations on the ground,” AFP reported.
If Israelis had attacked UNIFIL forces with metal rods, physically attacked officers, and burned their vehicles, it would have made global headlines within seconds, with immediate condemnations from every UN body and world leader.
But since it’s Hezbollah in Lebanon, there’s… pic.twitter.com/0erIwpvcfR— Sharren Haskel השכל שרן (@SharrenHaskel) February 14, 2025
Protesters affiliated with the Shi’ite terrorist organization Hezbollah blocked the road to Lebanon’s only international airport over a government decision on Thursday prohibiting two Iranian planes from landing in Beirut.
The rioters view the decision as a Lebanese capitulation to the Jewish state, which warned Beirut that the planes were carrying millions in cash for the rehabilitation of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah terror supporters promise to burn down Beirut after the Lebanese government blocked an Islamic regime aircraft carrying weapons from landing in the city.
Hezbollah terrorists need to accept that the days of Hezbollah are over.
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) February 13, 2025
IDF Arabic-language spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee late on Wednesday night issued a warning that the Israeli military will act forcefully against the Iranian flights.
A second attack involving a UNIFIL vehicle was reported on Saturday. Hezbollah supporters attacked the vehicle that made its way to the airport, escorted by military police, Israel Hayom reported. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas grenades to disperse the rioters, apprehending several suspects.
On Saturday morning, Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi called an emergency meeting of the Central Internal Security Council.
The council is composed of the minister of interior and municipalities,
the general prosecutor before the Court of Cassation, the governor of Beirut, the Lebanese Armed Forces commander-in-chief, the director-general of the Internal Security Forces, and an officer at least of the rank of lieutenant colonel.
