CIS LEBANON SECURITY INDEX August 28 2025

CIS LEBANON SECURITY INDEX August 28 2025

📊 TODAY’S LEBANON SECURITY INDEX READING

INDEX LEVEL: 🔴 CRITICAL

TODAY’S OVERALL INDEX: 89/100

TREND ANALYSIS: ⚡ VOLATILE

🌡️ GOVERNORATE-BY-GOVERNORATE SECURITY ASSESSMENT

BEIRUT 🏙️

Index Reading: 90/100 🔴

Status: Critical. The political crisis in the capital remains severely intensified. Today, August 28, the UN Security Council is set to vote on the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate, a critical diplomatic event that will significantly impact the country’s security architecture. US envoy Tom Barrack, during his visit earlier this week, reiterated Washington’s conditional support for UNIFIL’s continuation but emphasized that the mission is “not the answer” to Lebanon’s security challenges, pressing for greater Lebanese governmental control.

Reports from August 27 indicated that the Shiite Duo (Hezbollah and Amal) postponed a planned protest, however, their official statement clearly reaffirmed their commitment to “defending Lebanon’s sovereignty, dignity and resistance, along with its arms,” signaling no change in their stance on disarmament. These combined factors – the high-stakes UN vote, continued US pressure, and Hezbollah’s defiance – sustain an exceptionally high risk of widespread civil unrest, including potential protests directed towards diplomatic missions.

Key Factor: The UN Security Council vote on UNIFIL’s mandate is a pivotal event today, against a backdrop of continued US diplomatic pressure for disarmament and Hezbollah’s unwavering rejection, maintaining extreme political tension and potential for civil unrest.

MOUNT LEBANON 🏞️

Index Reading: 78/100 🟠

Status: High. The risk profile for Mount Lebanon remains high, directly mirroring the intensifying national crisis. The complex investigation into the deaths of the LAF soldiers in Wadi Zibqin continues to fuel national tensions. With the central political crisis in Beirut reaching a critical juncture with the UNIFIL vote and the core issues of disarmament still unresolved, the potential for spillover violence, politically motivated roadblocks, or broader civil disturbances across the governorate remains high, demanding constant vigilance.

Key Factor: The governorate’s stability is directly threatened by the rapidly escalating national political crisis and its potential for localized spillover, exacerbated by the UNIFIL mandate vote.

NORTH LEBANON 🌊

Index Reading: 87/100 🔴

Status: Critical. The national political crisis, severely intensified by the LAF casualties and the high-stakes political standoff in Beirut (including the UNIFIL mandate vote), continues to exacerbate existing tensions in Tripoli and the wider North Lebanon region. The deep socio-economic distress and entrenched sectarian fault lines make this area highly susceptible to being drawn into any national-level civil unrest or confrontation, maintaining a high state of alert.

Key Factor: The combination of active conflict risk factors and a heightened potential for large-scale civil unrest due to the intensifying national political instability, now further impacted by the UNIFIL mandate decision.

AKKAR 🌲

Index Reading: 92/100 🔴

Status: Critical. The government’s internal paralysis continues to critically undermine the LAF’s ability to manage the extremely volatile security situation along the porous Syrian border. Reports from August 28 indicate Israeli ground troops raided a site near the Syrian capital (Damascus), highlighting continued cross-border military actions that can impact Lebanese border regions. The foiled ammunition smuggling attempt from Syria towards Lebanese territory in the Al-Qusayr area of Homs on August 24 highlights persistent illicit cross-border activities. Recent skirmishes along the border have killed and wounded both fighters and civilians, highlighting the ongoing threat. Beirut and Damascus have attempted some coordination on border security, but political relations remain strained, compounding the region’s existing instability.

Key Factor: Extreme threat from a porous and actively contested border with Syria, marked by recent cross-border military actions and ammunition smuggling attempts, severely compounded by the national political crisis and strained inter-state relations.

BEQAA VALLEY 🍇

Index Reading: 90/100 🔴

Status: Critical. The region remains an active conflict zone. While no new airstrikes were specifically reported directly within the Beqaa Valley on August 28, the IDF eliminated 5 Hezbollah operatives in South Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley between July 29 and August 3, during a wave of strikes on infrastructure for precision missile production and storage. This indicates persistent Israeli military activity in proximity to the Beqaa and a continued high underlying risk of major Israeli strikes. The region is a prominent Hezbollah stronghold and a focal point of opposition to the government’s disarmament decision, making it highly volatile. Israel’s conditional withdrawal offer impacts the broader regional dynamics.

Key Factor: Active and ongoing Israeli military threat in the broader region, compounded by high internal tensions and continued opposition to disarmament efforts, now with a new conditional withdrawal offer from Israel.

BAALBEK-HERMEL 🕌

Index Reading: 92/100 🔴

Status: Critical. This remains a primary conflict zone. The region is a Hezbollah stronghold and a central focal point of opposition to the government’s disarmament decision, making it extremely volatile both internally and externally. The escalating national crisis and Hezbollah’s firm stance against disarmament further question the LAF’s mission in the area, potentially emboldening non-state actors. The continued threat of Israeli military operations in the broader Beqaa region persists, maintaining the highest level of alert. Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer impacts the broader regional dynamics.

Key Factor: Assessed as a primary active conflict zone with ongoing major military operations and extremely high internal tensions, now exacerbated by the direct political confrontation in Beirut and a new conditional withdrawal offer from Israel.

KESERWAN-JBEIL 🏛️

Index Reading: 35/100 🟢

Status: Remains the calmest governorate. However, the rapidly escalating national crisis, Hezbollah’s explicit rejection of disarmament, Israel’s conditional withdrawal offer, and the impending UNIFIL mandate vote, pose a significant and immediate threat to this localized stability. All foreign governments continue to advise against travel to any part of Lebanon due to the risk of a sudden, country-wide conflict escalation or a complete breakdown of civil order. This governorate’s calm is entirely precarious.

Key Factor: Localized calm that is entirely dependent on, and increasingly threatened by, the fragile and rapidly deteriorating national security situation and explicit warnings of internal conflict.

SOUTH LEBANON 🌴

Index Reading: 92/100 🔴

Status: Critical. An active war zone. Today, August 28, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported discovering a Hezbollah artillery bunker in a wooded valley close to the Israeli border near the village of Meri. Inside, they found a 152mm Russian-made artillery cannon and dozens of shells “ready to be used,” highlighting persistent and active military infrastructure in the region. This comes as the UN Security Council is set to vote on UNIFIL’s mandate renewal, with some members, including the US and Israel, pushing for changes or even a full withdrawal.

As of August 26, Amnesty International released a report stating that Israel’s widespread destruction of civilian structures in southern Lebanon could amount to war crimes, with NGO Monitor publishing a detailed rebuttal. The IDF drone strike on August 23 near Tefatha, the fatal Israeli drone strike on August 21 in Deir Siryan, and another drone strike on August 20 in al-Housh, indicate continued active external conflict. Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer adds another layer of complexity to this active conflict zone.

Key Factor: Active and escalating external conflict, highlighted by the discovery of a Hezbollah bunker by UNIFIL today, the Amnesty International report and its rebuttal, recent drone strikes, continuous border infringements, combined with a critical and complex internal crisis following LAF casualties and Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer.

NABATIEH ⛪

Index Reading: 92/100 🔴

Status: Critical. An active war zone. Today, August 28, the UN Security Council vote on UNIFIL’s mandate renewal is of particular importance for this governorate, given UNIFIL’s critical role in monitoring the Blue Line. No new specific Israeli military activity was reported today directly within Nabatieh, but the proximity to the recent IDF drone strike in Tefatha (Sidon region on August 23) and the ongoing threat remains.

The fatal Israeli drone strike on August 21 in Deir Siryan, a town proximate to Nabatieh, and the previous fatal drone strike on August 17 in the Aitaroun-Ainata area, along with the August 15 Israeli airstrikes on the northern outskirts of Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh, indicate continuous Israeli military operations. This entire governorate remains a primary theater for Israeli military operations and is directly impacted by the political and security fallout from the Wadi Zibqin incident in the neighboring governorate, as well as the broader national disarmament crisis and explicit threats of internal conflict. Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer adds another layer of complexity.

Key Factor: Strategic importance for non-state actors makes it a central front for ongoing hostilities and civil unrest, compounded by recent and continued Israeli military actions, the escalating internal political crisis, and Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer, all under the shadow of the UNIFIL mandate decision.

🎯 TODAY’S SECURITY INTELLIGENCE BRIEF

🔥 HIGH-RISK AREAS TO MONITOR:

• Location 1: Beirut, particularly areas around government buildings and diplomatic missions (especially the U.S. Embassy), due to the UNIFIL mandate vote today, continued US pressure, and Hezbollah’s defiance on disarmament.
• Location 2: Southern Lebanon generally, following the UNIFIL discovery of a Hezbollah bunker today, and the ongoing debate surrounding the Amnesty International report on widespread destruction.
• Location 3: The village of Meri (South Lebanon), following UNIFIL’s discovery of a Hezbollah artillery bunker there today.
• Location 4: Tefatha, Sidon region (South Lebanon), following the reported IDF drone strike on August 23.
• Location 5: Deir Siryan (South Lebanon/Nabatieh border region), following the fatal Israeli drone strike on August 21.
• Location 6: Al-Housh area, east of Tyre (South Lebanon), following the Israeli drone strike on August 20 that caused injuries and damage.
• Location 7: The Akkar-Syrian border region, due to ongoing illicit cross-border activities and recent military actions near Damascus.
• Location 8: Meiss al-Jabal (South Lebanon), following the cross-border incursion and house destruction on August 18.
• Location 9: The Aitaroun-Ainata area (South Lebanon/Nabatieh border region), following the Israeli drone strike on August 17.
• Location 10: The northern outskirts of Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh, following the Israeli airstrikes on the evening of August 15.
• Location 11: The port of Naqoura (South Lebanon), remaining a site of concern following the August 12 Israeli strike on civilian fishermen.
• Location 12: Wadi Zibqin (Tyre District) and surrounding areas, as the LAF investigation into the deadly August 9 explosion continues amidst rising internal tensions and questions about external involvement.
• Location 13: Khallat al-Makhafir (South Lebanon), due to the confirmed and ongoing construction of a new Israeli military post inside Lebanese territory.
• Location 14: Bint Jbeil district in Nabatieh, following the August 13 Israeli drone strike.

✅ RELATIVELY LOWER-RISK ZONES (WITH EXTREME CAUTION):

• Area 1: The Jbeil (Byblos) and Batroun coastal cities. Caveat: Stability is not guaranteed and highly vulnerable to a nationwide escalation.
• Area 2: The Metn district’s primary residential and commercial zones. Caveat: Subject to significant risks from a nationwide escalation and potential spillover.
• Area 3: Beirut Central District. Caveat: Avoid all demonstrations, maintain extreme awareness of opportunistic crime, and be prepared for rapid security deterioration.

⚠️ AVOID TODAY:

• DO NOT TRAVEL TO LEBANON. The security situation is extremely volatile and has further deteriorated. All governments continue to advise against travel due to the risk of a sudden, country-wide conflict escalation or a complete breakdown of civil order.
• All non-essential travel to South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa, Akkar, and Tripoli governorates.
• Any non-essential movement. The risk of internal clashes, in addition to ongoing Israeli military operations, is now significantly higher and more explicit.

📱 PROFESSIONAL SECURITY GUIDANCE

🏠 FOR RESIDENTS:

• The UN Security Council vote on UNIFIL’s mandate, coupled with the political standoff and Hezbollah’s firm rejection of disarmament, means the risk of internal and external conflict remains exceptionally high. Prepare for an imminent, rapid, and severe deterioration of the security situation.
• Show extreme caution and respect around any military processions or mourning events. Avoid any public discussions about the Wadi Zibqin incident, which is a matter of extreme national sensitivity and currently under intense scrutiny.
• Maintain emergency supplies (food, water, medicine) and a “go-bag” with essential documents.
• Know the location of the nearest shelter and have a shelter-in-place plan.

🏢 FOR BUSINESSES:

• Immediately suspend all non-essential operations. The current crisis poses a severe and immediate threat to staff movement and operational continuity.
• Review and test emergency plans for evacuation and sheltering in place. Establish clear communication protocols and alert systems for all staff.
• The political paralysis and ongoing unrest will impact all administrative functions and services. Be prepared for potential disruptions to infrastructure and services.

🚗 FOR TRAVELERS:

• DO NOT TRAVEL TO LEBANON. Multiple governments advise their citizens not to travel to Lebanon and have stated that their ability to provide consular assistance or evacuation is extremely limited. Commercial flights may be cancelled and the airport could close without notice. The situation is too dangerous.

🔮 24-HOUR SECURITY FORECAST

• Predicted Index Reading: 89/100
• Forecast Trend: ⚡ VOLATILE
• Expected Factors: The country remains in a state of national mourning and severe political crisis. The outcome of the UN Security Council vote on UNIFIL’s mandate today will have immediate and significant implications. Israel’s new conditional withdrawal offer and the lack of a breakthrough in disarmament talks will continue to be critical. Persistent Israeli military activity, including drone strikes and border incidents (such as the UNIFIL bunker discovery), is anticipated. The ongoing LAF investigation into the Wadi Zibqin incident and persistent regional instability from cross-border smuggling attempts further compound the situation.
• Preparation Recommendation: All residents and organizations must maintain a maximum state of alert and be prepared for an imminent and severe escalation of the security situation, including potential internal clashes.

📊 WEEKLY SECURITY ANALYSIS

• This Week’s Average: 89/100
• Change from Last Week: +1 point (slight increase due to new developments and heightened tensions)
• Monthly Trend: Rapidly Deteriorating
• Seasonal Assessment: The security environment is now defined by a dual crisis: an active external conflict with Israel, marked by ongoing border incidents, recent fatal strikes and incursions, and the discovery of active military infrastructure by UNIFIL; and a severe internal confrontation that has now resulted in the deaths of Lebanese soldiers and explicit defiance from a major armed group, placing the state’s most respected institution at the center of the conflict and raising the specter of civil war.

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The CIS Lebanon Security Index™ is a proprietary intelligence asset crafted by CIS Security, Lebanon’s leading security firm since 1990. This index is offered as a public service, showcasing our dedication to community well-being and exceptional security standards.