2019 Beirut drone crash
Part of Iran–Israel proxy conflict and the Hezbollah–Israel conflict
TypeLoitering munition[1]
Location
Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon

33°53′13″N 35°30′47″E / 33.886944°N 35.513056°E / 33.886944; 35.513056
Date25 August 2019
Executed by Israel (alleged by Lebanon)[2]
 Iran (alleged by Israel)[3]
OutcomeHezbollah Media Center damaged
Location of Beirut in Lebanon

Lebanese and Hezbollah officials reported that at 2:30 a.m. local time (23:30 GMT) on 25 August 2019, two drones crashed into the Dahieh district of Beirut, Lebanon. According to Lebanese officials, Israel launched a drone attack.[4][5] Hezbollah denied exploding or targeting the drones.[6] It was the first such incident between Israel and Lebanon since the 2006 Lebanon War.[7][6]

Background

In July 2019 Israel targeted the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq.[8] Several Iraqi, Iranian and Israeli officials have attributed the attacks to Israel, but Israel initially did not confirm nor deny its role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted responsibility for the attacks on 20 August 2019, claiming that "Iran is not immune anywhere".[9] Israel confirmed responsibility for the strikes on 22 August 2019, which was later followed by a US confirmation.[10][11]

A senior researcher at the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies stated that an upcoming election and indications that the United States may start talks with Iran, could be reasons why Israel had "stepped up the pressure".[12]

Reaction

The Israeli military said it does not comment on "foreign reports".[6]

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah labeled the attack as a "suicide mission" and announced that other Israeli drones will be targeted over Lebanon.[13]

Ron Ben-Yishai reported for Ynet that the drones were Iranian-made, apparent by their models.[14]

Amos Harel, writing for Haaretz, stated that the attack was attributed to Israel and damaged an Iranian-supplied planetary mixer used for making "propellants that can improve the engine performance of missiles and increase their accuracy."[15] The Guardian cites sources saying that Israel sent the drones to "disrupt efforts by Hezbollah to fit advanced guidance systems to rudimentary rockets."[16]

Aftermath

Israeli jets made low altitude flights over Sidon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.[17] Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said he would down Israeli drones over Lebanon skies from now on. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the drones amounted to an open attack on the country's sovereignty.[1]

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Israeli aircraft attacked a PFLP-GC base in Qousaya Lebanon the following day.[18][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Hezbollah chief: 'We will down Israeli drones in Lebanon skies'
  2. ^ "Lebanon president: Israel drone attack a declaration of war". 26 August 2019.
  3. ^ Ben-Yishai, Ron (25 August 2019). "Beirut fallen drones were Iranian not Israeli, images show". Ynetnews.
  4. ^ Prime Minister Saad Hariri
  5. ^ a b "Lebanon president: Israel drone attack a declaration of war". Al Jazeera.
  6. ^ a b c "Hariri: Israeli drones in Beirut threaten Lebanon's sovereignty". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2019.
  7. ^ Bassam, Laila (August 25, 2019). "Two Israeli drones fall in Beirut suburbs, one explodes: army, Hezbollah". Reuters.
  8. ^ Yeranian, Edward (19 July 2019). "Drone Attack Hits Shiite Militia Base in Northern Iraq". Voice of America. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  9. ^ Ahren, Raphael (20 August 2019). "Netanyahu hints Israel behind strikes on Iraq, says Iran not immune anywhere". Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Netanyahu Confirms Israel Acting Against Iran in Iraq". Hamodia. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  11. ^ Tercatin, Rossella (23 August 2019). "American officials confirm Israel behind strikes in Iraq - Report". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  12. ^ Smith, Saphora; Givetash, Linda; Jabari, Lawahez (29 August 2019). "Israel's shadow war with Iran risks triggering wider conflict, analysts say". NBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Hezbollah chief: 'We will down Israeli drones in Lebanon skies'". Al Jazeera.
  14. ^ Ben-Yishai, Ron (August 25, 2019). "Beirut fallen drones were Iranian not Israeli, images show". Ynetnews.
  15. ^ Harel, Amos (28 August 2019). "Beirut Strike Target: Vital Iranian Device for Hezbollah's Mass Missile Production". Haaretz. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  16. ^ Chulov, Martin; Holmes, Oliver; Rasool, Mohammed (28 August 2019). "Drone attacks in Middle East raise fears of escalating conflict". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Israeli warplanes flying at a low altitude over Lebanon's Sidon: Report". english.alarabiya.net. 25 August 2019.
  18. ^ "Lebanese PM in talks with UN official after Israeli air strikes". France 24. August 26, 2019.
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