I'm sure they were under orders and had to surrender their weapons rather than fight.
Why are they lucky? They're still alive and free. After disarming them the rebels could have easily taken them hostage, robbed them, or any other form of barbarity they chose. They could be hanging from a bridge beam or their dead bodies dragged through the streets...
Note to Americans overseas - if Embassy personnel aren't even allowed to protect themselves, how will they protect you?