FLASHBACK: April 18, 1983: U.S. Embassy Attacked in Beirut

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="no-js" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2014-featured-story-archive/flashback-april-18-1983-u-s-embassy-bombed-in-beirut.html","20150905103331","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1441449211"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/><meta charset="utf-8"/><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/><title>FLASHBACK: April 18, 1983: U.S. Embassy Attacked in Beirut — Central Intelligence Agency</title><meta name="description" content=""/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"/><meta name="LastModified" content="Jul 10, 2014"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20150905103331cs_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/css/jobcart.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20150905103331cs_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/css/smallscreen.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20150905103331cs_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/css/modules.css"/><link href="/web/20150905103331cs_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/css/fullscreen.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="only screen and (min-width: 993px)"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20150905103331cs_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/css/expandcollapse.css" media="screen"/><script src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/modernizr.custom.73407.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/jquery-1.8.3.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/response.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/rwd.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/jquery.main.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/simpleCart.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/connect.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150905103331js_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/js/expandcollapse.js"></script> </head><body class="template-document_view portaltype-agencypage site-CIAgov section-news-information icons-on"><div><noscript>Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display</noscript><div id="wrapper"> <header id="header"><div class="header-holder"> <a class="skip" accesskey="S" href="#main-content">skip to content</a> <span class="bg-globe"></span> <div class="header-panel"> <hgroup><h1 class="logo"><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/"><img src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/images/logo.png" alt="Central Intelligence Agency"><span>Central Intelligence Agency</span></a></h1> <h2 class="work-text">The Work Of A Nation. The Center of Intelligence.</h2> </hgroup><div class="search-form"> <div class="row"> <div class="add-nav"> <ul><li><a title="Report Threats" class="active" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/contact-cia/report-threats.html">Report Threats</a></li> <li><a title="Iraqi Rewards Program" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/iraqi-rewards-program.html">رعربيعربي</a></li> <li><a title="A single point of contact for all CIA inquiries." href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/contact-cia">Contact</a></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="row"> <form id="ciaSearchForm" method="get" action="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/search"> <fieldset><legend class="visuallyhidden">Search CIA.gov</legend> <label class="visuallyhidden" for="q">Search</label> <input name="q" type="text" class="text" id="q" maxlength="2047" placeholder="Search CIA.gov..."><input type="hidden" name="site" value="CIA"><input type="hidden" name="output" value="xml_no_dtd"><input type="hidden" name="client" value="CIA"><input type="hidden" name="myAction" value="/search"><input type="hidden" name="proxystylesheet" value="CIA"><input type="hidden" name="submitMethod" value="get"><input type="submit" value="Search" class="submit"></fieldset></form> </div> <div class="row"> <ul class="lang-list"><li lang="ar" xml:lang="ar"><a title="Arabic" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/ar">عربي</a></li> <li lang="zh-cn" xml:lang="zh-cn"><a title="Chinese" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/zh">中文</a></li> <li lang="en" xml:lang="en"><a title="English" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/">English</a></li> <li lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><a title="French" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/fr">Français</a></li> <li lang="ru" xml:lang="ru"><a title="Russian" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/ru">Русский</a></li> <li lang="es" xml:lang="es"><a title="Spanish" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/es">Español</a></li> <li><a title="More Languages" alt="More Languages" class="more" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/foreign-languages">More<span class="visuallyhidden"> Languages</span></a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> <nav id="nav"><h3 class="visuallyhidden">Navigation</h3> <ul><li class=""><a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/"> <span>Home</span> </a></li> <li class=""><a class="hasChildrens" title="About CIA Description" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia"> <span>About CIA</span> </a><div class="drop"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/todays-cia"> <span>Today's CIA</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/leadership"> <span>Leadership</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-vision-mission-values"> <span>CIA Vision, Mission, Ethos & Challenges</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/headquarters-tour"> <span>Headquarters Tour</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum"> <span>CIA Museum</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/history-of-the-cia"> <span>History of the CIA</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/faqs"> <span>FAQs</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Note - link to the No Fear Act parent page, which is housed under EEO" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/no-fear-act"> <span>NoFEAR Act</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies"> <span>Site Policies</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><img class="image-inline" title="About Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/about-menu/image.jpg" alt="About Menu"><h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/">About CIA</a></h4> <p>Discover the CIA <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/">history, mission, vision and values</a>.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li> <li class=""><a class="hasChildrens" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers"> <span>Careers & Internships</span> </a><div class="drop"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="This is an overview of all career opportunities at the CIA. " href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities"> <span>Career Opportunities </span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="This is the student profile page for candidates looking for jobs/ job listings at the CIA. Student Opportunities - Student Profiles" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/student-opportunities"> <span>Student Opportunities</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="How to apply to the CIA." href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/application-process"> <span>Application Process</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="This is the about CIA section of the Careers Site" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/life-at-cia"> <span>Life at CIA</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Every career at the CIA is a rewarding one. In addition to serving your country with the certainty that your work makes a difference, the CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees." href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/benefits.html"> <span>Benefits</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="This is the diversity information for the Careers Site" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/diversity"> <span>Diversity</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Your prior military service could qualify you to continue to serve your nation at the Central Intelligence Agency. Opportunities for qualified applicants are available in the U.S. and abroad." href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/military-transition"> <span>Military Transition</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/games-information"> <span>Tools and Challenges</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Frequently Asked Questions/ FAQ for a Career at the CIA in the Careers Section" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/faq"> <span>FAQs</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Repository of CIA videos" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/video-center"> <span>Video Center</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><img class="image-inline" title="Careers Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/careers-menu/image.jpg" alt="Careers Menu"><h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/">Careers & Internships</a></h4> <p>Your talent. Your diverse skills. Our mission. Learn more about <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/">Career Opportunities at CIA</a>.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li> <li class=""><a class="hasChildrens" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia"> <span>Offices of CIA</span> </a><div class="drop"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/intelligence-analysis"> <span>Intelligence & Analysis</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/clandestine-service"> <span>Clandestine Service</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/science-technology"> <span>Science & Technology</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/mission-support"> <span>Support to Mission</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/human-resources"> <span>Human Resources</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Public Affairs" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/public-affairs"> <span>Public Affairs</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/general-counsel"> <span>General Counsel</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/equal-employment-opportunity"> <span>Equal Employment Opportunity</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Office of Congressional Affairs" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/congressional-affairs"> <span>Congressional Affairs</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Inspector General" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/inspector-general"> <span>Inspector General</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Military Affairs" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/military-affairs"> <span>Military Affairs</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><img class="image-inline" title="Offices Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/offices-menu/image.jpg" alt="Offices Menu"><h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/">Offices of CIA</a></h4> <p><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/">Learn how the CIA is organized</a> into directorates and key offices, responsible for securing our nation.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li> <li class=" active "><a class="hasChildrens" title="News & Information Description" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information"> <span>News & Information</span> </a><span class="arrow"></span><div class="drop"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/blog"> <span>Blog</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements"> <span>Press Releases & Statements</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony"> <span>Speeches & Testimony</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/cia-the-war-on-terrorism"> <span>CIA & the War on Terrorism</span> </a> </li> <li class="selected "> <a class="" title="index for featured story" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive"> <span>Featured Story Archive</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/your-news"> <span>Your News</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><img class="image-inline" title="News Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/news-menu/image.jpg" alt="News Menu"><h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/">News & Information</a></h4> <p>The most up-to-date CIA <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/">news, press releases, information and more</a>.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li> <li class=""><a class="hasChildrens" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library"> <span>Library</span> </a><div class="drop right"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications"> <span>Publications</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="CSI section" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence"> <span>Center for the Study of Intelligence</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/foia"> <span>Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading Room</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/kent-center-occasional-papers"> <span>Kent Center Occasional Papers</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/intelligence-literature"> <span>Intelligence Literature</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Reports" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/reports"> <span>Reports</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Related Links" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/related-links.html"> <span>Related Links</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="Repository of CIA videos" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/video-center"> <span>Video Center</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><img class="image-inline" title="Library Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/library-menu/image.jpg" alt="Library Menu"><h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/">Library</a></h4> <p>Our <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/">open-source library</a> houses the thousands of documents, periodicals, maps and reports released to the public.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li> <li class=""><a class="hasChildrens" title="Kids' Page Description" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page"> <span>Kids' Zone</span> </a><div class="drop right"><ul class="globalSectionsLevel1 show-static"><li class="plain "> <a class="" title="K-5th Grade" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/k-5th-grade"> <span>K-5th Grade</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/6-12th-grade"> <span>6-12th Grade</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/parents-teachers"> <span>Parents & Teachers</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/games"> <span>Games</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/related-links"> <span>Related Links</span> </a> </li> <li class="plain "> <a class="" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/privacy-statement"> <span>Privacy Statement</span> </a> </li> </ul><div class="static"><p><img class="image-inline" title="Kids Menu" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/images/section-banners/kids-menu/image.jpg" alt="Kids Menu"></p> <h4><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/">Kids' Zone</a></h4> <p><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/">Learn more about the Agency</a> and find some top secret things you won't see anywhere else.</p></div><div class="visualClear"></div></div></li></ul></nav></div> </header><div class="main-block"> <section id="main"><div class="heading-panel"> <h1>News & Information</h1> </div> <div class="main-holder threecol"> <div id="sidebar"> <nav class="sidebar-nav"><h2 class="visuallyhidden">Secondary Navigation</h2> <ul><li class="navTreeItem navTreeTopNode"> <a class="contenttype-agencyfolder" title="News & Information Description" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information"> News & Information </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeFolderish section-blog"> <a class="state-published navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/blog"> Blog </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeFolderish section-press-releases-statements"> <a class="state-published navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements"> Press Releases & Statements </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeFolderish section-speeches-testimony"> <a class="state-published navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony"> Speeches & Testimony </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeFolderish section-cia-the-war-on-terrorism"> <a class="state-published navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/cia-the-war-on-terrorism"> CIA & the War on Terrorism </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeItemInPath navTreeFolderish section-featured-story-archive"> <a class="state-published navTreeItemInPath navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="index for featured story" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive"> Featured Story Archive </a> </li> <li class="navTreeItem visualNoMarker navTreeFolderish section-your-news"> <a class="state-published navTreeFolderish contenttype-agencyfolder" title="" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/your-news"> Your News </a> </li> </ul></nav><div id="portletwrapper-706c6f6e652e6c656674636f6c756d6e0a636f6e746578740a2f434941676f760a6e617669676174696f6e" class="portletWrapper kssattr-portlethash-706c6f6e652e6c656674636f6c756d6e0a636f6e746578740a2f434941676f760a6e617669676174696f6e" data-portlethash="706c6f6e652e6c656674636f6c756d6e0a636f6e746578740a2f434941676f760a6e617669676174696f6e"> </div></div> <div id="content"> <ul class="breadcrumbs"><li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information">News & Information</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive">Featured Story Archive</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2014-featured-story-archive">2014 Featured Story Archive</a></li><li>FLASHBACK: April 18, 1983: U.S. Embassy Attacked in Beirut</li> </ul><article class="description-box"><a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"> </a> <div class="text-holder"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_16x16_style"> <a class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a class="addthis_button_google_plusone_share"></a> <a class="addthis_button_pinterest_share"></a> <a class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a class="addThisrssLink" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/your-news"><img title="Subscribe to RSS" src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/images/icon_rss.gif" alt="Rss Feed"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript"> var addthis_config = { data_track_addressbar: false, ui_508_compliant: true, services_compact: 'digg,instapaper,linkedin,reddit,stumbleupon,tumblr,blogger', data_track_clickback: false, data_use_cookies: false, services_exclude: 'amenme,spruzer', ui_click: true } var addthis_share = { templates : { twitter : "{{title}} {{url}} " } } </script><script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150905103331js_/https://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-52322787108634ce"></script><br><div id="viewlet-above-content"> </div> <div class=""> <div id="content">  <h1>FLASHBACK: April 18, 1983: U.S. Embassy Attacked in Beirut</h1> <div id="content-core"> <div id="parent-fieldname-text-1bb01b1bf59a4306b6521b7ac05ace20" class=""> <p></p><dl class="image-right captioned"><dt><a rel="lightbox" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2014-featured-story-archive/images/BombenanschlagUSBotschaftBeirut.jpg/image.jpg"><img src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2014-featured-story-archive/images/BombenanschlagUSBotschaftBeirut.jpg/a9797974-9df1-46aa-b7d9-a193c2aeb003.jpeg" alt="A view of damages to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut" title="A view of damages to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut" height="132" width="200"></a></dt> <dd class="image-caption">A view of damages to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut</dd> </dl>On April 18, 1983, a suicide bomber crashed a truck into the front of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, and detonated approximately 2,000 pounds of explosives. The massive blast killed 63 people, including 17 Americans, some of whom were CIA officers. <p><b>Unrest in Lebanon<br></b>In September 1982, the Multinational Force in Lebanon, composed of U.S. and European military personnel, entered Lebanon to help the Lebanese government maintain stability during the third phase of the Lebanese Civil War (1982-1983). Extremist groups demanded the departure of U.S. and Israeli personnel, who were on the outskirts of Beirut. Among the most active of these groups were Lebanese Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad Organization. The Islamic Jihad Organization engaged in a campaign of kidnappings and attacks, and claimed responsibility for the Beirut embassy bombing.</p> <p>The aftermath of the attacks brought about swift action from Agency and diplomatic officials. Then-Secretary of State George Shultz tasked an advisory panel to investigate the security of diplomatic facilities overseas. The resulting report, informally known as the Inman Report, led to security improvements at embassies, the relocation of many CIA officers to more secure locations, and the creation of the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Diplomatic Security Service, which is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State.</p> <p><b>The Fallen<br></b>The Beirut embassy bombing remains the most lethal attack in the Agency’s history. Several Agency officers were lost; among them were a senior NCS officer visiting the embassy that day, the Agency’s senior officer in Lebanon, and a support officer reporting for her first day at work.  All of the fallen are honored with stars engraved on the CIA Memorial Wall at CIA Headquarters.</p> <p>To learn more about how CIA honors its fallen officers, read these related stories:</p> <p><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/the-memorial-wall-a-tribute-to-our-heroes.html">The Memorial Wall: A Tribute to Our Heroes</a></p> <p><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/press-release-archive-2008/cia-memorial-ceremony.html">CIA Holds Ceremony to Honor Fallen Colleagues</a></p> <p><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/importance-of-tradition-annual-memorial-ceremony.html">The Importance of Tradition: The Annual Memorial Ceremony</a></p> </div> <div class="documentByLine"> <br><div> Historical Document<br></div> <div> Posted: Apr 17, 2014 02:23 PM<br></div> <div> Last Updated: Jul 10, 2014 12:41 PM<br></div> <br></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> <aside class="content-box-2"><section class="featured-box"><div class="heading-box"> <h3>Featured Story Archive</h3> </div> <div class="box-holder"> <ul><li><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2015-featured-story-archive/index"><b>2015</b></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2014-featured-story-archive/index"><b>2014</b></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2013-featured-story-archive/index"><span class="internal-link"><b>2013</b></span></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2012-featured-story-archive/index"><span class="internal-link"><b>2012</b></span></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2011-featured-story-archive/index"><b>2011</b></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" title="2010 Featured Stories" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/index"><b>2010</b></a></li> <li><b><a class="internal-link" title="2009 Featured Story Archive" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2009-featured-story-archive/index">2009</a></b></li> <li><a class="internal-link" title="2008 Featured Story Archive" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2008-featured-story-archive/index.html"><b>2008</b></a></li> <li><a class="internal-link" title="2007 Featured Story Archive" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2007-featured-story-archive"><b>2007</b></a></li> </ul></div> </section></aside></div> </section><footer id="footer"><span class="divider"></span> <a href="#" class="logo-2"><img src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/images/logo-2.png" width="61" height="61" alt="Central Intelligence Agency"></a> <div class="footer-holder"> <div class="footer-frame"> <nav class="footer-nav"><div class="info-block"> <h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia">About CIA</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/todays-cia">Today's CIA</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/leadership">Leadership</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-vision-mission-values">CIA Vision, Mission, Ethos & Challenges</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/headquarters-tour">Headquarters Tour</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum">CIA Museum</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/history-of-the-cia">History of the CIA</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/faqs">FAQs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/no-fear-act">NoFEAR Act</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies">Site Policies</a> </li> </ul></div> <div class="info-block"> <h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers">Careers & Internships</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities">Career Opportunities </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/application-process">Application Process</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/life-at-cia">Life at CIA</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/benefits.html">Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/diversity">Diversity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/military-transition">Military Transition</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/games-information">Tools and Challenges</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/faq">FAQs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/careers/video-center">Video Center</a> </li> </ul><h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia">Offices of CIA</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/intelligence-analysis">Intelligence & Analysis</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/clandestine-service">Clandestine Service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/science-technology">Science & Technology</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/mission-support">Support to Mission</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/human-resources">Human Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/public-affairs">Public Affairs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/general-counsel">General Counsel</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/equal-employment-opportunity">Equal Employment Opportunity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/congressional-affairs">Congressional Affairs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/inspector-general">Inspector General</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/military-affairs">Military Affairs</a> </li> </ul></div> <div class="info-block"> <h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information">News & Information</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/blog">Blog</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements">Press Releases & Statements</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony">Speeches & Testimony</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/cia-the-war-on-terrorism">CIA & the War on Terrorism</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive">Featured Story Archive</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/your-news">Your News</a> </li> </ul><h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library">Library</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications">Publications</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence">Center for the Study of Intelligence</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/foia">Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading Room</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/kent-center-occasional-papers">Kent Center Occasional Papers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/intelligence-literature">Intelligence Literature</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/reports">Reports</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/related-links.html">Related Links</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/library/video-center">Video Center</a> </li> </ul></div> <div class="info-block add"> <h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page">Kids' Zone</a></h3> <ul><li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/k-5th-grade">K-5th Grade</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/6-12th-grade">6-12th Grade</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/parents-teachers">Parents & Teachers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/games">Games</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/related-links">Related Links</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/privacy-statement">Privacy Statement</a> </li> </ul><h3><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/contact-cia">Connect with CIA</a></h3> <ul class="socials-list"><li><a class="social-6" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/https://twitter.com/CIA">CIA Twitter</a></li> <li><a class="social-5" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/https://www.facebook.com/Central.Intelligence.Agency">CIA Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.youtube.com/user/ciagov">CIA YouTube</a></li> <li><a class="social-2" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciagov">CIA Flickr PhotoStream</a></li> <li><a class="social-3" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/your-news">RSS</a></li> <li><a class="social-4" href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/contact-cia">Contact Us</a></li> </ul></div> </nav><div id="plugins" class="info-panel"> <h4>* Required plugins</h4> <ul><li data-plugin="swf"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/">Adobe® Flash Player</a></li> <li data-plugin="pdf"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://get.adobe.com/reader/">Adobe® Reader®</a></li> <li data-plugin="doc"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=4">MS Word Viewer</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </footer></div> <div class="footer-panel"> <nav class="sub-nav"><h3 class="visuallyhidden">Footer Navigation</h3> <ul><li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies/#privacy-notice" title="Site Policies">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies/#copy" title="Site Policies">Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies/" title="Site Policies">Site Policies</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.foia.cia.gov/">FOIA</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103331/http://www.dni.gov/">DNI.gov</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/no-fear-act/" title="No FEAR Act">NoFEAR Act</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/inspector-general/">Inspector General</a></li>  <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/contact-cia/">Contact CIA</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li> </ul><a href="/web/20150905103331/https://www.cia.gov/open/" class="footer-logo"><img src="/web/20150905103331im_/https://www.cia.gov/++theme++contextual.agencytheme/images/ico-06.png" alt="open gov"></a> </nav></div> <div class="skip"><a href="#wrapper">back to top</a></div> </div></div></body></html>

CINXE.COM

FLASHBACK: April 18, 1983: U.S. Embassy Attacked in Beirut — Central Intelligence Agency