A tragic incident unfolded during Friday prayers at a mosque in Bar Elias, a town in eastern Lebanon. Gunfire erupted within the mosque, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to five others. Following the initial shooting, further gunfire exchange occurred between Lebanese troops and the suspected shooter, who was reportedly wounded in the confrontation. A security official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the deceased and the five injured were all Syrian nationals. Bar Elias hosts a significant number of Syrian refugees who sought refuge from the ongoing conflict in their homeland.
Lebanon has become a haven for over a million Syrian refugees, and anti-Syrian sentiment has been growing since the onset of Lebanon's economic crisis in late 2019. This crisis, stemming from long-standing corruption and mismanagement, has plunged a significant portion of Lebanon's population into poverty.
