SAA event in Lebanon on Fri 8th May 2026

On May 8, 2026, two wanted men ambushed an army patrol in a jeep and opened fire on the soldiers as the patrol was heading to raid a drug manufacturing lab in the Sharawneh neighborhood of Baalbek. The soldiers returned fire, and during the exchange, the jeep caught fire due to the presence of ammunition and flammable materials inside. The soldiers were able to evacuate one of the wanted men (a Syrian national) and transport him to the hospital for treatment. They were unable to evacuate the other wanted man due to the intensity of the gunfire. One soldier and five civilians sustained minor injuries in the incident. The patrol continued its mission and raided the drug lab, seizing several machines and a large quantity of narcotics. The seized items were handed over to the relevant authorities, and efforts are underway to apprehend those involved in operating the lab.