Official logo of the Lebanese Armed Force, source: lebarmy.gov.lb
On April 21, the US embassy in Lebanon announced the delivery of dozens of armored vehicles and trucks to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
In a statement posted on Twitter, the embassy said that the shipment, which arrived in Beirut Port on April 15, is meant to “protect” Lebanon’s border.
“On April 15, a US-flagged ship docked at the Port of Beirut to deliver 55 armored vehicles worth $13 million, which will enable LAF units to better defend and protect Lebanon and its borders,” the statement reads.
The shipment included Humvees [High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle] as well as 4×4 and 6×6 FMTVs [Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles].
في 15 نيسان، رست سفينة ترفع العلم الأميركي في مرفأ بيروت لتسليم 55 آلية مصفحة بقيمة 13 مليون دولار، مما سيمكّن وحدات #الجيش_اللبناني من الدفاع عن لبنان وحدوده وحمايته بشكل أفضل. pic.twitter.com/7B7PIvJaiO
— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) April 21, 2021
The US and other Western countries, mainly the UK and France, has been stepping up their support for the LAF on the hopes of restricting Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon and its access to the border with Syria.
In January, the UK shipped 100 Land Rover Wolfs light armored vehicles to the LAF. Later on March, France delivered a shipment of MILAN anti-tank guided missiles and thermal sights to the military.
Despite the West’s attempts to use the LAF as a pawn against Hezbollah, the military maintains superb relations with the group. The two cooperate on counter-terrorism in Lebanon as well as against Israel.
