Sunday, October 23, 1983

Military Action:

US Marine administrative HQ and French paratroop barracks in Beirut destroyed by almost simultaneous truck bomb attacks; responsibility for bombing claimed by Free Islamic Revolutionary Movement; heavy fighting resumes around Souq al-Gharb; IDF patrol battles Lebanese civilians near Sarafand, south of Zahrani river.

Casualties:

Initial reports from Beirut bombings list military casualties as 146 US, 27 French killed, 69 US, 12 French wounded, 53 French missing; 20+ Lebanese civilians injured by explosion at French barracks; both buildings totally destroyed, along with documents, material; 3 Lebanese. civilians killed, several wounded, 1 IDF soldier wounded near Sarafand.

Political Responses:

US and Other Countries: US officials suspect Iranian involvement in Beirut bombings, and Hisballah group, based in Baalbek, of direct responsibility; Reagan says US forces will remain in Lebanon, threatens retaliation when identity of bombers is known; Joint Chiefs of Staff meet in emergency session; Pentagon says Lebanese Army not ready to take over peacekeeping duties, requires another year of intensive training by US to reach full operational capacity; France, other European MNF states say their forces will remain in Beirut.