March 16

Five American Marines were wounded in a hand grenade attack while on patrol north of Beirut International Airport . The Islamic Jihad and Al-Amal, a Shi'ite militia, claimed responsibility for the attack. 11

April 18

A suicide car-bomber drives a van carrying 2,000 pounds of explosives into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 63-including 17 Americans-and injuring 120. The CIA's Middle East director was among the casualties. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. 1,2,9

October 23

A Shiite suicide bomber blows up the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut , Lebanon , killing 241 Marines. At almost the same time, a nearly identical suicide bombing attack kills over 50 soldiers at the French military barracks in Beirut - all members of a U.N. peacekeeping force. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. 1,2

December 12

Shiite extremists set off car bombs in front of the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait City , killing five people, and wounding 86. Analysts later blame the attacks on the banned Al-Dawa party, a radical Shiite group with ties to Iran . 1,2