Mysterious Havana Syndrome ‘energy attack’ near White House being investigated

A mysterious “energy attack” near the White House is being investigated. It’s the latest in a series of concerning incidents.

Marine One descending to the South Lawn. Picture: PHC C.M. Fitzpatrick/United States Department of Defence

The US is investigating a possible “Havana Syndrome” microwave attack near the White House that can cause crippling brain injuries, according to reports.

The alleged attack took place near the Ellipse, which is the lawn just south of the White House, and harmed a National Security Council officer.

A second occurred in a Virginia suburb in 2019 while a White House official was walking her dog, CNN reported.

The incident occurred near the White House. Picture: PHC C.M. Fitzpatrick/United States Department of Defence

A White House spokesman told The Hill that “the health and wellbeing” of public servants is a “paramount priority” for Biden’s administration.

“We take all reports of health incidents by our personnel extremely seriously,” they added.

“The White House is working closely with departments and agencies to address unexplained health incidents and ensure the safety and security of Americans serving around the world.”

The spokesman added the reported incidents were still under evaluation.

Suspected attacks were first documented in Havana in 2016, but have since affected US diplomats in different countries.

Those who fell sick reportedly experienced neurological symptoms such as vertigo and insomnia.

The Hotel Nacional in Havana is one of the locations where the syndrome occurred. Picture: Jongleur100

Last year, scientists said that they suspected pesticides were a possible culprit for the mysterious illnesses that were suffered by US and Canadian diplomats.

The dozens of illnesses reported in recent years led the US and Canada to sharply reduce the staffing at their embassies in Cuba.

Scientists discussed the possibility that the symptoms were caused by chemicals used to fumigate against mosquitoes.

Others said they believed the diplomats had suffered some sort of genuine health effects, although the causes remained far from clear.

However, back in 2019, a report claimed that the sonic attacks on US embassy staff in Cuba did not happen and were all in the victims’ heads.

The mystery sparked a row between the two countries in which Donald Trump accused the Cuban authorities of being behind the attacks.

Dozens of staff affected demanded proper examinations of their brains.

However, a leading sociologist and an expert in neurodegenerative diseases said it was most likely emotional trauma and fear that caused the symptoms, according to Sky News.

Dr Robert Bartholomew and study co-author Dr Robert W Baloh believe the so-called Havana Syndrome is more like shell shock, which causes concussion-like ailments.

It was later speculated that Russian agents used a “microwave weapon” to inflict brain damage on American spies back in 2020.

According to GQ, a team of investigators at the CIA’s headquarters in Langley concluded the victims were targeted by a device that could be beamed through walls and windows from up to two miles away.

An investigation by the FBI and CIA at the time pointed the finger in suspicion of the Cold War enemy – but didn’t have enough evidence at the time to publicly blame Moscow.

American diplomats were apparently targeted again at the US mission in Guangzhou, China, where staff began suffering from a mysterious malady resembling brain injury and had to be flown home.

Officials called it a ‘sonic attack’ as victims heard loud buzzing noises, and unofficially pointed the finger at Russia.

Now reports have revealed there were further suspected attacks, including at least two on the US mainland.

In 2019, two top CIA spies – including one of the agency’s top five highest-ranking officials – travelled to Australia to meet intelligence counterparts.

Both the Americans were struck down with a mystery illness in their hotel rooms, sources told GQ.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and reproduced with permission.