CHRONOLOGY OF ATTACKS BY IRANIAN-BACKED GROUPS IN LEBANON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T01058R000406550002-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 15, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: June 14, 1985
• Content Type: MISC

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Chronology of attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon
14 June 1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacked from Athens to Beirut.
Hizballah elements involved in holding US
hostages are encouraged by Iranian officials
to prolong incident.
9 June 1985 American University of Beirut official Thomas
Sutherland kidnaped in West Beirut. Radical
Shias with links to Iran suspected.
29 May 1985 Denis Hill, British professor at American
University of Beirut shot to death. Islamic
Jihad first claimed credit and then denied
responsibility. Pro-Iranian radical Shias are
still suspected.
28 May 1985 David Jacobsen, US Director of American
University Hospital, kidnaped. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
23 May 1985 Two Frenchmen, journalist Jean-Paul Kaufmann
.and researcher Michel Saurat, kidnaped while
leaving Beirut International Airport. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
29 April 1985 French journalist Norbert Balit escaped from a
kidnaping attempt. Pro-Iranian radical Shias.
are the most likely suspects.
18 April 1985
Georges Sayegh, Lebanese citizen and vice
President of American University of Beirut,
kidnaped and interrogated about personnel
working at the university. Radical Shias.are
suspected.
Two French teachers, Jean Claude Duvent and
Robert Valnassian, apparently mistaken for
Americans, kidnaped and released.
Perpetrators probably were Shia elements
hoping to provide Americans to pro-Iranian
groups seeking additional US hostages.
22 March 1985 French diplomat Marcel Fontaine kidnaped in
West Beirut. Islamic Jihad claimed credit.
16 March 1985 Terry Anderson, US bureau chief for Associated
Press news service, kidnaped in West Beirut.
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
15 March 1985 British businessman Brian Levick kidnaped by
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19 February 1985
22 January 1985
19 January 1985
14 January 1985
13 January 1985
8 January 1985
"Khaybar Brigades." Released because he is
not American.
British metallurgist Geoffrey Nash kidnaped in
West Beirut by "Khaybar Brigades." Released
because he is not American.
Dutch priest Nicholas Kluiters disappeared in
Bekaa Valley and was later found dead.
Hizballah elements possibly involved.
French observer killed in West Beirut.
Radical Shias with links to Iran suspected.
Bomb exploded on street in front of American
University Hospital. Radical Shias suspected.
Bomb exploded near Iraqi bank. Radical Shias
with links to Iran suspected.
Two French observers shot dead in West
Beirut.. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
Bomb defused at home of FSN employee of US
Embassy. Radical Shias suspected.
Father Lawrence Jenco, US Citizen, director of
Catholic Relief Services, kidnaped. Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility.
7 January 1985 . French observer killed.
pro-Iranian Shias responsib
30 November 1984 Peter Kilburn, US librarian at American
University, kidnaped.' Islamic Jihad claimed
credit. Hizballah elements believed to be
holding him.
20 September 1984 Truck bomb exploded in front of US Embassy
Annex in Beirut. Two US personnel killed, 20
wounded along with 12 Lebanese killed and over
50 wounded. Islamic Jihad claimed credit.
24 August 1984
24 August 1984
British consular office in Beirut suffered
extensive damage from rocket attack. Radical
Shia elements are the most likely suspects.
Saudi Embassy in Beirut sacked by radical
Shias unable to obtain visas for the Hajj.
Attack claimed by Islamic Jihad.
2 July 1984 Bomb caused extensive damage to Beirut office
of L'Orient Le Jour newspaper. Radical Shia
elements are the most likely suspects.
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6-7 June 1984
6 June 1984
8 May 1984
5 May 1984
16 April 1984
28 March 1984
27 March 1984
22 March 1984
16 March 1984
7 March 1984
6 March 1984
15 February 1984
10 February 1984
French embassy car blown up. Radical Shias
suspected.
Two car bombs exploded in Christian town of
Juniyah; killing at least two and wounding
scores. Shia driver identified.
Saudi Embassy in Beirut attacked twice.
Islamic Jihad claims credit.
One French observer killed, two wounded by
sniper fire by Hizballah elements.
American Presbyterian Minister, Benjamin Weir,
kidnaped by Hizballah elements.
Soviet cultural center hit by rocket. "Forces
of the Islamic Dawn" claimed credit. Radical
Shia elements showing support for the Afghan
resistance are suspected.
French doctor in observer group wounded by
gunmen firing from a passing car.
French officer in observer group killed by
probable radical Shia gunmen firing from a
passing car.
French cultural attache shot four times while
walking to work in Beirut. Pro-Iranian Shias
suspected.
British Council building in Beirut damaged by
bomb. Radical Shia are the most likely
suspects.
US Political Officer, William Buckley,
kidnaped by Hizballah elements.
American journalist, Jeremy Levin, kidnapped
by Hizballah elements.
Islamic Jihad claimed credit for three attacks
on French facilities following visit by
Foreign Minister Cheysson to Beirut. One
Frenchman killed.
Christian Joubert, French architect, kidnaped
by Hizballah elements. Rescued on 15 April.
Dr. Frank Regeir, American professor at
American University in Beirut, kidnaped by
Hizballah elements. Rescued on 15 April 1984.
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18 January 1984 Dr. Malcolm Kerr, President of American
University in Beirut, murdered. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
17 January 1984 Saudi Consul Hussein Farrash kidnaped by
Hizballah elements. Released in May 1985.
13 January 1984 French diplomat's wife wounded by two men on
motorcycle. Radical Shias suspected.
27 December 1983 Car bomb attack on British multinational force
convoy. Radical Shia elements are suspected.
21 December 1983 Bar frequented by US Marines bombed. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
21 December 1983 Truck bomb attack against French Multinational
Force headquarters. Ten killed, 125
wounded. Islamic Jihad claimed
res pons ib it ity.
23 October 1983 French Multinational Force barracks hit by car
bomb which kills 56 troops. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
23 October 1983 Car bombing of US Marines barracks; 239
killed. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
19 October 1983
16 October 1983
6 August 1983
5 August 1983
21 July 1983
July 1983
US Marine supply convoy car bombed. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
One US Marine killed and three wounded in
sniper attack on US Multinational Force
elements. Islamic Jihad claimed
responsibility.
French Ambassador's home attacked. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
French Embassy hit by rocket-propelled
grenades. Islamic Jihad claimed credit.
Dr. David Dodge, president of American
University in Beirut. kidnaped on 19 July 1982
by Hizballah elements, was released in good
health through Syrian intervention. During
his detention he was taken to Iran.
Several rocket-propelled grenade attacks on US
Multinational Force barracks at Beirut
International Airport. Islamic Jihad claimed
reponsibility.
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I I
Islamic Jihad claimed credit for several
grenade attacks on French Multinational Force
elements.
Car bomb attack on US Embassy in West Beirut
killed 57 and wounded more than 100. Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility.
8 April 1983 Two rocket-propelled grenades fired at French
Multinational Force elements. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
16 March 1983 Five US Marines wounded in a grenade attack
near the airport. Islamic Jihad claimed
res pons ib it ity.
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