When did the Lebanese Civil War start? This pivotal event in Lebanon’s history began on April 13, 1975, and lasted for 15 years, until October 1990. The war was a complex conflict involving various factions, including Christians, Muslims, and Palestinians, as well as external powers such as Syria and Israel. This article aims to provide an overview of the war’s origins, key events, and its lasting impact on Lebanon and the region.
The Lebanese Civil War had deep roots in the country’s political and religious landscape. Lebanon, a small nation located in the heart of the Middle East, had a diverse population consisting of Christians, Muslims, and Druze. Throughout its history, Lebanon had been a melting pot of different cultures and religions, but political tensions often flared between these groups.
The war’s origins can be traced back to the late 1960s when the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) established bases in Lebanon. This move was seen as a threat by the Lebanese government and many Christians, who feared that the presence of PLO fighters would undermine their political and economic dominance in the country.
In April 1975, these tensions escalated into full-scale conflict when a clash between Christian and Muslim factions in the northern city of Sidon led to widespread violence. The war quickly spread across the country, with various factions vying for control over Lebanon’s political and economic resources.
One of the key events during the war was the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. The invasion was aimed at driving the PLO out of Lebanon and establishing a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. However, the invasion led to further chaos and suffering for the Lebanese people, as Israel occupied parts of southern Lebanon and engaged in fierce fighting with the PLO and other factions.
Throughout the war, Syria played a significant role in Lebanon’s affairs. Syria, a neighboring country with a predominantly Muslim population, saw Lebanon as a strategic buffer zone against Israel. Syria’s military intervention in Lebanon during the war helped to maintain the balance of power between various factions, but it also prolonged the conflict and deepened Lebanon’s political divisions.
The Lebanese Civil War finally came to an end in October 1990, when the Taif Agreement was signed. The agreement was a peace treaty that aimed to resolve the war’s root causes and establish a new political order in Lebanon. The agreement included the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, the establishment of a new Lebanese government, and the disarmament of various factions.
Despite the end of the war, Lebanon’s wounds have yet to fully heal. The war left a lasting impact on the country, with thousands of lives lost, millions displaced, and the country’s infrastructure severely damaged. Moreover, the war’s legacy of political and religious tensions continues to shape Lebanon’s political landscape today.
In conclusion, the Lebanese Civil War, which started on April 13, 1975, was a devastating conflict that reshaped Lebanon’s history and the region as a whole. The war’s origins, key events, and its lasting impact on Lebanon and the Middle East are a testament to the complexities of political and religious conflict in the region.
