Lebanese Civil War (1975 – 1990)
The Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, was a multifaceted and brutal conflict that tore apart Lebanon…
The Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, was a multifaceted and brutal conflict that tore apart Lebanon and reshaped its society, politics, and regional relationships. The war was characterized by complex sectarian divisions, the involvement of foreign powers, and the shifting alliances among various factions within Lebanon. The conflict resulted in massive loss of life, widespread destruction, and lasting impacts on the country’s political landscape.
Background and Causes
Sectarian Divisions:
Lebanon’s unique political system, established under the National Pact of 1943, was designed to maintain a delicate balance of power among its various religious communities, primarily Christians (mainly Maronite Christians), Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and Druze.
The president of Lebanon was always a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shia Muslim. However, this system became increasingly strained as demographic changes and political shifts challenged the balance.
Palestinian Refugees and Militancy:
The influx of Palestinian refugees into Lebanon following the creation of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli wars added to the country’s sectarian tensions. The arrival of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the late 1960s, following their expulsion from Jordan during “Black September,” further destabilized Lebanon.
The PLO established bases in southern Lebanon and became a powerful military and political force, leading to clashes with Israel and various Lebanese factions. The presence of the PLO also exacerbated divisions between Lebanon’s Muslim and Christian communities.
Economic and Social Inequality:
Lebanon’s economic growth in the 1960s and early 1970s masked underlying social inequalities, particularly among the Shia Muslim population, who were largely marginalized and impoverished. This socioeconomic disparity contributed to rising discontent and militancy, particularly among Shia groups.
External Influences:
Lebanon’s strategic location and complex demographics attracted the involvement of regional and international powers, including Israel, Syria, the United States, and various Arab states. These external actors pursued their own interests in Lebanon, often exacerbating internal conflicts.
The Outbreak of War
Triggering Event (April 1975):
The civil war is often said to have begun on April 13, 1975, when gunmen from the Christian Phalangist party attacked a bus in the Beirut suburb of Ain El Remmaneh, killing 27 Palestinian passengers. This attack, in response to an earlier assassination attempt on Phalangist leader Pierre Gemayel, sparked widespread violence between Christian militias and Palestinian factions.
The violence quickly escalated, drawing in various Lebanese militias, the PLO, and eventually foreign forces. The conflict soon spread across the country, with Beirut becoming a divided city, split between Christian East Beirut and Muslim West Beirut.
Fragmentation of the State:
As the conflict intensified, the Lebanese state and its institutions effectively collapsed. The Lebanese Army fragmented along sectarian lines, and militias took control of different regions of the country, enforcing their own rule and engaging in fierce battles for territory.
Major Phases of the Civil War
Early Years (1975–1976):
The first years of the war saw fierce fighting between Christian militias, such as the Phalangists, and Muslim and leftist militias, including the Lebanese National Movement (LNM), which was allied with the PLO. The war quickly spread to other parts of Lebanon, including the southern and central regions.
In 1976, Syria intervened in the conflict, initially on the side of the Christians to prevent their defeat, but later positioning itself as a dominant power in Lebanon. Syrian forces occupied large parts of the country, and a fragile ceasefire was brokered in 1976, but it did not hold.
Israeli Invasions and Occupation (1978, 1982):
In 1978, Israel launched Operation Litani, a military invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at driving out PLO forces. Israel withdrew after establishing a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, patrolled by its ally, the South Lebanon Army (SLA).
The most significant Israeli intervention came in 1982 with Operation Peace for Galilee. Israel invaded Lebanon in a full-scale assault, reaching Beirut and laying siege to the city. The aim was to expel the PLO from Lebanon, and it succeeded, with PLO forces eventually evacuating to Tunisia.
The Israeli invasion led to the occupation of southern Lebanon and the establishment of a security zone. It also intensified sectarian divisions and led to the emergence of new actors in the conflict, including the Shia militant group Hezbollah, which formed in response to the Israeli occupation.
The Rise of Hezbollah:
Hezbollah, supported by Iran and Syria, emerged as a powerful Shia militia in the early 1980s. It gained popularity among Lebanon’s Shia population by resisting Israeli forces in the south and providing social services in areas neglected by the central government.
Hezbollah carried out guerrilla attacks against Israeli forces and their allies, including the SLA, becoming a key player in the conflict and a major force in Lebanon’s Shia community.
International Interventions and Multinational Force (1982–1984):
Following the 1982 Israeli invasion and the PLO’s departure, a multinational force, including U.S., French, and Italian troops, was deployed to Beirut to help stabilize the situation. However, the multinational force became embroiled in the conflict, leading to attacks on their positions.
In 1983, a suicide bombing orchestrated by Hezbollah killed 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French paratroopers in Beirut, leading to the withdrawal of the multinational force in 1984.
Escalation and the War of the Camps (1985–1989):
The mid-1980s saw a brutal phase known as the “War of the Camps,” in which the Amal movement, a Shia militia, fought against Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, seeking to eliminate Palestinian influence. The conflict within the camps led to heavy casualties and further destabilization.
During this period, Beirut remained divided, with frequent battles between rival militias, kidnappings, and assassinations becoming commonplace.
End of the Civil War
Taif Agreement (1989):
The war gradually wound down with the signing of the Taif Agreement in 1989, brokered by Saudi Arabia and supported by the Arab League. The agreement aimed to restore political balance and end the fighting by providing for a more equitable distribution of power among Lebanon’s religious communities.
The Taif Agreement reasserted the authority of the central government, called for the disbanding of militias, and set the framework for political reform, including reducing the powers of the Maronite Christian president and increasing the role of the Muslim prime minister.
Final Battles and Syrian Dominance:
Despite the Taif Agreement, fighting continued into 1990, particularly between the Lebanese Army, led by General Michel Aoun, who opposed Syrian influence, and Syrian-backed forces. Aoun declared a “war of liberation” against Syria, but he was eventually defeated, and Syrian forces solidified their control over Lebanon.
The civil war officially ended in October 1990, with Syrian forces occupying much of the country and maintaining significant influence over Lebanon’s political affairs.
Aftermath and Consequences
Human and Material Costs:
The Lebanese Civil War resulted in an estimated 120,000 to 150,000 deaths, with hundreds of thousands more wounded and displaced. Entire neighborhoods and cities were destroyed, and the country’s infrastructure was severely damaged.
The war caused deep social and sectarian divisions that persist in Lebanon today, with communities still largely segregated by religion.
Political Legacy:
The Taif Agreement remains the foundation of Lebanon’s political system, although it has been criticized for entrenching sectarian divisions and failing to address underlying issues of corruption and governance.
Syria continued to exert significant influence over Lebanon until 2005, when the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri led to widespread protests and the eventual withdrawal of Syrian troops, known as the Cedar Revolution.
Reconstruction and Reconciliation:
Post-war Lebanon saw efforts to rebuild and reconcile, but the country has struggled with political instability, economic challenges, and recurring violence. The war’s legacy continues to affect Lebanon’s society and politics.
- Home
- /
- Regions
- /
- Asia
- /
- Lebanon
- /
- Historical Events in Lebanon
- /
- Lebanese Civil War (1975...
Advertisement:
- Cooper, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages - 11/13/2019 (Publication Date) - Helion and Company (Publisher)
- Cooper, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 88 Pages - 12/31/2024 (Publication Date) - Helion and Company (Publisher)
- Cooper, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 82 Pages - 12/14/2021 (Publication Date) - Helion and Company (Publisher)
- Cooper, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 88 Pages - 03/03/2023 (Publication Date) - Helion and Company (Publisher)
- Fisk, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 752 Pages - 10/24/2002 (Publication Date) - Bold Type Books (Publisher)
- El-Ariss, Tarek (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages - 04/23/2024 (Publication Date) - Other Press (Publisher)
We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Home
- /
- Regions
- /
- Asia
- /
- Lebanon
- /
- Historical Events in Lebanon
- /
- Lebanese Civil War (1975...
Comments