Lebanese Civil War

Quick Facts: Who was Lebanese Civil War?

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Lebanese Civil War

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A complex, multi-sided armed conflict that ravaged Lebanon from 1975 to 1990.

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Origins & Early Life

The Lebanese Civil War (Arabic: الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية, al-ḥarb al-ahliyyah al-libnāniyyah) was a multifaceted armed conflict fought in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990. It resulted in an estimated 120,000 deaths, displaced nearly one million people, and caused widespread destruction across the country. The war arose from longstanding political and sectarian tensions within Lebanon's confessional system, compounded by demographic change, the presence of Palestinian armed groups following the Arab–Israeli conflict, and the influence of regional rivalries and the Cold War. Fighting initially broke out between Christian militias and Palestinian factions, principally the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), allied with Lebanese Muslim, leftist, and pan-Arab groups. As the conflict escalated, it developed into a complex, multi-sided war involving shifting alliances among Lebanese factions and the military intervention of Syria, Israel, Iran, and other foreign actors.

Career & Major Achievements

Throughout the conflict, numerous militias fought for political, sectarian, and territorial objectives, with alliances frequently changing over time. While much of the fighting occurred between opposing sectarian and ideological coalitions, significant violence also took place within individual communities. International peacekeeping forces, including the Multinational Force in Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), were deployed during different stages of the war. The 1989 Taif Agreement laid the foundation for ending the conflict, and most militias were disbanded following the war's conclusion in 1990. In 1991, the Lebanese Parliament enacted a general amnesty for political crimes committed during the conflict.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Hezbollah, however, remained armed, citing its role in resisting the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. The war left a lasting impact on Lebanon's political system, economy, and society, and many of its underlying political and sectarian divisions have continued to shape the country in the decades since its end. In 1860, a civil war between Druze and Maronites erupted in the Ottoman Mutasarrifate of Mount Lebanon. The war resulted in the massacre of about 10,000 Christians and at least 6,000 Druzes. During World War I, most Arabs fought in the Ottoman army against the British and French invaders.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1860: 1860 Milestone — In 1860, a civil war between Druze and Maronites erupted in the Ottoman Mutasarrifate of Mount Lebanon.
2. 1975: 1975 Milestone — The Lebanese Civil War (Arabic: الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية, al-ḥarb al-ahliyyah al-libnāniyyah) was a multifaceted armed conflict fought in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990.
3. 1989: 1989 Milestone — The 1989 Taif Agreement laid the foundation for ending the conflict, and most militias were disbanded following the war's conclusion in 1990.
4. 1991: 1991 Milestone — In 1991, the Lebanese Parliament enacted a general amnesty for political crimes committed during the conflict.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lebanese Civil War

True or False: “The Lebanese Civil War was solely caused by disputes between Christian and Muslim communities.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The conflict was multifaceted, stemming from sectarian tensions compounded by demographic change, regional rivalries, and the presence of foreign actors.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lebanese Civil War