Lebanon submitted an official complaint to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) following the targeting and destruction of the fishermen’s port in the southern town of Naqoura. This step represents a diplomatic move aimed at documenting the incident at the international level and demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
In detail, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamni, sent an official letter to the organization, detailing the circumstances of targeting the port, which he considered a civilian facility necessary to serve local fishermen. He stressed that “the attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and agreements, especially the rules that guarantee the protection of civilian maritime facilities and the freedom and safety of maritime navigation, in addition to its violation of the provisions of international humanitarian law.”
Rasamny also explained that the complaint included a detailed and documented presentation of the incident, supported by satellite images showing the extent of the damage to the port’s infrastructure and moored boats, which led to a complete cessation of maritime activity in the region.
He stressed that the targeted port “is used exclusively for civilian purposes, and constitutes a basic source of livelihood for dozens of Lebanese families,” considering that this attack exacerbates the humanitarian and economic repercussions, especially in light of the difficult conditions facing the border areas.
The complaint was based on a set of international legal references, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in addition to the principles of protecting civilian facilities and infrastructure, and the rules of international humanitarian law that prohibit targeting civilian objects.
The Minister called on the International Maritime Organization to open an independent international investigation into the incident, record this violation in its official records, and take appropriate measures within the framework of its powers to ensure the protection of civilian maritime facilities and prevent the recurrence of such attacks.
He stressed that Lebanon “reserves its right to take all necessary legal and diplomatic measures to protect its vital facilities and the rights of its citizens,” and called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and put an end to what he described as repeated violations.
This official move comes in light of the escalation of tensions on the southern border, where multiple coastal and land areas have witnessed attacks on civilian infrastructure in recent months, which negatively affected vital sectors, most notably the marine fishing sector.
Naqoura is a major coastal point in the far south of Lebanon, and a large portion of its population depends on maritime activity as a primary source of income. Disabling the port leads to direct economic paralysis in the town and its surrounding areas, and increases social burdens in a region already suffering from accumulated security and economic repercussions.
In this context, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s step is seen as a diplomatic effort aimed at consolidating the Lebanese narrative in international forums, and recording what happened in the official records of organizations concerned with maritime affairs, in preparation for any future legal or political action.
