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{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict = 2011–2012 sectarian conflict in Lebanon
|conflict = 2011–2012 conflict in Lebanon
|partof = the [[Arab Spring]] and the [[Syrian civil war]]
|partof = the [[Arab Spring]] and the [[Syrian civil war]]
|image =
|image =
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}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Lebanon}}
{{Campaignbox Lebanon}}
[[Demographics of Lebanon|Sectarian conflict]] in Lebanon was renewed following the [[Syrian civil war]] between opponents and supporters of the [[Syrian government]] and involves violent unrest and kidnappings of foreign citizens across [[Lebanon]]. Islamists across northern Lebanon arranged sit-ins and blocked roads to protest the arrest of a Lebanese Islamist linked to the Syrian uprising. The conflict escalated from previous sectarian clashes between pro-Syrian [[Shi'a Islam in Lebanon#Alawites|Alawites]] and anti-Syrian [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]] militants in Tripoli in June 2011 and February 2012. Sit-ins were also held in south Lebanon by anti-Hezbollah Salafists, which heightened tensions further. In May 2012, the conflict spread to Beirut, while the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] deployed in north Lebanon and Beirut. Since May 2012, scores of people have died and hundreds more have been wounded in clashes. August 2012 saw a renewed escalation of the conflict, as sectarian fighting broke out in [[Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen clashes|Tripoli]].
The '''2011-2012 conflict in Lebanon''' involved clashes between opponents and supporters of the [[Syrian government]], protests, and kidnappings of citizens across [[Lebanon]]. between opponents and supporters of the [[Syrian government]] and involves violent unrest and kidnappings of foreign citizens across [[Lebanon]]. Islamists across northern Lebanon arranged sit-ins and blocked roads to protest the arrest of a Lebanese Islamist linked to the Syrian uprising. The conflict escalated from previous sectarian clashes between pro-Syrian [[Shi'a Islam in Lebanon#Alawites|Alawites]] and anti-Syrian [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]] militants in Tripoli in June 2011 and February 2012. Sit-ins were also held in south Lebanon by anti-Hezbollah Salafists, which heightened tensions further. In May 2012, the conflict spread to Beirut, while the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] deployed in north Lebanon and Beirut. Since May 2012, scores of people have died and hundreds more have been wounded in clashes. August 2012 saw a renewed escalation of the conflict, as sectarian fighting broke out in [[Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen clashes|Tripoli]].


Since the outbreak of the uprising in Syria in March 2011, a spillover effect has been anticipated in Lebanon, where the government is dominated by the March 8 alliance, which is seen as pro-Syria.<ref name="spillover_to_lebaonon"/>
Since the outbreak of the uprising in Syria in March 2011, a spillover effect has been anticipated in Lebanon, where the government is dominated by the March 8 alliance, which is seen as pro-Syria.<ref name="spillover_to_lebaonon"/>

Revision as of 00:15, 26 August 2012

2011–2012 conflict in Lebanon
Part of the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war
DateMay 2012 – ongoing
(sporadic fighting since June 2011)
Location
Tripoli and Beirut, Lebanon
Result Ongoing
Belligerents

Anti-Syrian militants:
Salafist fighters
FM

FSA

Pro-Syrian militants:
ADP
PNO
SSNP

Al-Tayyar al-Arabi

Lebanese security forces: File:Lebanesearmyofficialflag.png LAF

FSI
Commanders and leaders
Saad Hariri
(FM leader)		 Rifaat Eid
(ADP leader)
Osama Saad
(PNO leader)
Assaad Hardan (SSNP leader)		 Jean Kahwaji
(LAF commander)
Ashraf Rifi
(FSI commander)
71-72 killed and ~425 wounded

The 2011-2012 conflict in Lebanon involved clashes between opponents and supporters of the Syrian government, protests, and kidnappings of citizens across Lebanon. between opponents and supporters of the Syrian government and involves violent unrest and kidnappings of foreign citizens across Lebanon. Islamists across northern Lebanon arranged sit-ins and blocked roads to protest the arrest of a Lebanese Islamist linked to the Syrian uprising. The conflict escalated from previous sectarian clashes between pro-Syrian Alawites and anti-Syrian Sunni militants in Tripoli in June 2011 and February 2012. Sit-ins were also held in south Lebanon by anti-Hezbollah Salafists, which heightened tensions further. In May 2012, the conflict spread to Beirut, while the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed in north Lebanon and Beirut. Since May 2012, scores of people have died and hundreds more have been wounded in clashes. August 2012 saw a renewed escalation of the conflict, as sectarian fighting broke out in Tripoli.

Since the outbreak of the uprising in Syria in March 2011, a spillover effect has been anticipated in Lebanon, where the government is dominated by the March 8 alliance, which is seen as pro-Syria.[1]

Background

See also: 2011 Lebanese protests
Lebanese army personnel on Syria Street, guarding the border between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen in 2011

Since the Cedar Revolution in 2005 and the withdrawal of the occupying Syrian forces from the country, the Lebanese political spectrum has been divided between the anti-Syrian March 14 alliance and the pro-Syrian March 8 alliance.[2] March 14, led by the mainly Sunni Muslim Future Movement, with allies such as the Maronite Christian Kataeb Party, amongst others, have called for Lebanese aid to the Free Syrian Army and to taking a stronger stance against the Syrian government.[citation needed]

This has been rejected by the ruling March 8 alliance, which includes the Shia Hezbollah and allies such as the Maronite Free Patriotic Movement, amongst others. In August, The Jerusalem Post reported that protesters enraged at Hezbollah's support for Syria's government burned Hezbollah flags and images of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in several places in Syria.[3] Pro-government protestors countered the actions by carrying posters of Nasrallah.[4] Hezbollah states they support a process of reforms in Syria and that they are also against U.S. plots to destabilise and interfere in Syria,[5] amid comments by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton that it should be "abundantly clear to those who support Assad [the] 'regime' [that] its days are numbered."[6] It was reported that according to arms dealers, "sales of black market weapons in Lebanon have skyrocketed in recent weeks driven almost entirely by demand in Syria."[7] In June 2011, clashes in the Lebanese city of Tripoli between members of the Alawite minority, loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and members of the Sunni majority related to the conflict in Syria had left seven people dead.[8]

Timeline

Early violence

In interfactional clashes in Tripoli, seven people were killed and 59 were wounded, on 17 June. Armed clashes erupted in following a rally in support of Syrian protesters. Fighting broke out between gunmen positioned in the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen (mainly Alawites who support the Syrian regime) and Bab al-Tabbaneh (mainly Sunnis, supporting the Syrian uprising). Among the dead were a Lebanese army soldier and an official from the Alawite Arab Democratic Party.[8]

Between 10 and 11 February 2012, two[9] to three people died in fighting in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, in the neighbourhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tebbaneh. The Lebanese Army stepped in and suffered six injured soldiers.[10][11]

On 29 April 2012, the Lebanese navy confiscated a large consignment of arms and ammunition on the container ship "Lutfallah II", headed for the port of Tripoli in northern Lebanon before it was intercepted. The ship begun its voyage from Libya and some of the arms were labelled as Libyan. According to the BBC it is generally believed the consignment was destined for the rebels in Syria.[12] Four people were also wounded during a clash between supporters of the Syrian opposition[who?] and Sunni supporters of Assad from the Tawheed Movement.[13]

May 2012 Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen clashes

Further information: Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen clashes

In May 2012, Salafists in Tripoli demanded the release of a Sunni Islamist, Shadi Mawlawi, who had been arrested on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization, and said they were ready to fight, if the army tries to clear the blockade by force.[1][14]

The arrest of Mawlawi triggered a new round of fighting between Islamists and Alawites in Tripoli.[15][16] Between two to four people were killed, when fighting erupted on the night of 12-13 May 2012, witnesses and security officials said.[17][18][9] In the evening of 12 May, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles were used in the fighting in an Alawite enclave and surrounding Sunni neighbourhoods in the port city.[citation needed] Hours before the clashes, Lebanese troops exchanged fire with a group of young Islamists protesting in Tripoli for the release of a terrorism suspect.[17] The outbreak of gunfire between the Islamists and the army happened as the youths, sympathisers with those partaking in the Syrian uprising, tried to approach the offices of the pro-Syrian Syrian Social Nationalist Party.[17] In all, three of the dead were reportedly Sunni civilians, while one was an army officer.[18]

The fighting continued on 14 May, with six more people being killed, five Alawites and one Sunni.[19][20] The army then deployed to the area on 15 May, and engaged in gunbattles with residents that left eight wounded, including a soldier.[21] By 16 May, the clashes had left 11 dead, including a soldier.[22][19][20]

By 18 May, a total of 12 people were dead and over 100 wounded in the May clashes.[23]

Killing of Ahmad Abdel-Wahid

On 20 May, a prominent Lebanese Sunni cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abdel-Wahid, and his aide, Mohammed Merheb, were killed by Lebanese Army, when failing to stop at a check point in Akkar, north Lebanon.[24] His death provoked protesters into cutting off roads in many parts of the country with burning tires. A Sunni leader threatened to establish a "Free Lebanese Army", if the authorities did not work to solve the murder of the prominent Lebanese anti-Assad Sunni cleric.[25]

The following day, 22 army personnel present at the shooting were arrested, and Future Movement MP Khaled al-Daher called for their execution.[26]

On 22 May, the Islamist Shadi Mawlawi was released in Tripoli.[27]

On 24 May, the March 14 Alliance, the anti-Assad Lebanese opposition block, called for a new government “aimed at confronting the attempt to ruin Lebanon.”[28] At the same time, the Islamist protesters in Tripoli threatened that their demonstrations would spread all over Lebanon if about 180 Islamists arrested and accused of participating in the 2007 Lebanon conflict were not released.[29]

On 28 May, a civilian man who failed to stop at an army checkpoint, was shot dead by soldiers.[30]

Beirut clashes

On 20 May, the evening following the killing of Sheikh Abdel-Wahid, clashes erupted in Beirut's Tariq Jdideh neighborhood between armed Sunni militants of the Future Movement and Sunnis of Tayyar al-Arabi, leaving three dead and 10 wounded and creating a tense security situation in the capital and the country as a whole.[31][32][33]

Kidnappings

In May 2012, Syrian opposition members kidnapped three pro-Assad Lebanese in the village of Zeita near the Syrian border. In retaliation, 60 Syrian workers were kidnapped, but the prisoners were swapped on May 16.[34]

On 22 May, seventeen Lebanese Shia pilgrims were reportedly kidnapped by the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo.[35][36] The FSA denied responsibility, blamed it on mafia gangs, and stated they would help free the pilgrims.[37] The kidnappers said they would release the pilgrims if Lebanon recognised the Syrian revolution.[38] Of 11 hostages being held, one was released on 25 August.[39]

In late May, two Lebanese farmers were kidnapped to Syria by pro-Syrian regime forces. Rifaat Eid of the Arab Democratic Party mediated for their release.[40] They were released on June 3.[41]

Several people were kidnapped, in response to other kidnappings, in June.[42] On 25 August, a Kuwaiti citizen was kidnapped in Howsh al-Ghanam in the Bekaa valley. However, the political nature of the kidnapping was questioned by the security services.[39]

Meqdad kidnappings

The Shia al-Meqdad clan has abducted a group of 20 people, mainly alleged FSA memers but also a Turk, in retaliation of the kidnapping of one of its members[who?] by the FSA. The armed branch of the clan threatened more actions if he was not released.[43][44] Several others who were kidnapped earlier were released as they were not affiliated with the FSA. The al-Meqdad's spokesman also said that the kidnappings occured after Lebanon took no action to assure the release of their kidnapped member. As a result of the kidnappings and warnings, Saudia Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and other Gulf Arab countries warned its citizens to leave the country. Protesters also blocked roads against the advice of Hezbollah at the inability of the government to take action on freeing Lebanese citizens abroad. This prompted Hezbollah's Nasrallah to say the situation was out of the control of Hezbollah and, in turn, prompted criticism of Hezbollah by March 14.[citation needed]

June-July Tripoli clashes

On 30 May, two more people were wounded in clashes between the Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods.[45]

On 2-3 June, 15 people were killed and over 60 wounded in clashes around Tripoli. As a result of the fighting, the Army re-entered Syria Street, that divides the warring neighborhoods, to set up a buffer zone between the two sides.[46][47][48][49] Following the declaration of a cease-fire, there were several violations of the truce during the night of 3 June, in which one policeman and one soldier were wounded.[50]

On 8 June, one person was killed and three others were wounded when gunfire hit the Alawite neighborhood in Tripoli.[51]

On 25 June, there were clashes between families supporting different political factions in Miniyeh, North Lebanon.[52]

On 18 July, one was killed and several were wounded by stray bullets fired during anti-Syrian celebrations in Tripoli, following the bombing of several Syrian ministers.[53][54]

On 27 July, two men who were on their way home to Jabal Mohsen were stabbed by unidentified assailants, which lead to clashes between gunmen.[55]

Clashes near Lebanese-Syrian Border

On 9 August, three people were killed and 10 people were wounded in a Syria-related clash between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in northern Lebanon.[56][57]

Clashes in refugee camps

On 16 June, a Palestinian man was killed and eight others were wounded in clashes with the Lebanese Army in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.[58] On 18 June, two Palestinians were killed and 10 more wounded in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp and 1 Palestinian was killed in Ain al-Hilweh camp while protesting by the Lebanese Army.[59][60] On 27 June, clashes erupted in the Bourj al-Barajneh camp, with no casualties.[61]

Sheikh Assir sit in

The Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir and his supporters staged a sit in in the southern city of Sidon to protest Hezbollah's weapons.[62] This lead to tensions, and later clashes between Assir-supporters and members of the Popular Nasserist Organization.[63][64] An AFP photographer was beaten during such a clash.[65] The following day, counter-protests were held.[63]

On 8 August, a gunfight between supporters and rivals of Assir wounded five, including two women.[66]

Michel Samaha arrest

On 9 August, Lebanese police arrested former Lebanese minister Michel Samaha, who was later indicted by the court for setting up an armed group to incite sectarian strife through “terrorist attacks” on behalf of the Syrian government. The court also indicted two Syrian army officials, the head of Syrian National Security Bureau Major General Ali Mamlouk and Brigadier General Adnan. Reportedly, Samaha confessed to planning on carrying out several bombings in Akkar District and other targets in northern Lebanon. The opposition March 14 alliance called for a rapid investigation and, if confirmed, an immediate cutting of relations with Syria and trying Samaha for grand treason. The ruling March 8 alliance meanwhile dismissed Samaha's arrest as a "March 14 campaign".[67][68][69]

Tripoli clashes

On 9 August, Sunni supporters of Hezbollah clashed with Salafists in Tripoli.[70]

On 20 and 21 August, 12 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, including 15 soldiers, in clashes between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli in another spillover from the war in neighboring Syria, according to security and medical sources. At least two of the dead were from Jabal Mohsen and five were from Bab al-Tabbaneh. Among the dead was also a 13-year-old boy. Five of the soldiers were injured by gunfire on 20 August, and another five on the next day after a grenade was lobbed at an army checkpoint.[71][72]

On 22 August, the Lebanese Army made a renewed attempt to stop the violence, deploying troops into the feuding neighborhoods. However, the army sustained heavy casualties, and was forced to retreat. After opening a dialogue with community leaders, the army managed to forge a ceasefire between the two parties.[73]

The ceasefire dissolved on 23 August, as fresh clashes erupted across the city. The Lebanese Army has deployed tanks to the neighbourhoods, in a renewed attempt to bring the situation under control.[73] While a measure of calm was returned, sporadic fighting continued throughout the day, and the situation remains volatile.[citation needed]

On 24 August, further fighting occurred after a dawn exchange of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades between Sunni and Alawite fighters in the Qobbah and Jabal Muhsin neighbourhoods. The skirmish provoked unrest throughout both districts, and at least 7 Alawite-owned shops in Sunni neighborhoods were torched by unknown assailants. Fighting escalated after the death of Sunni cleric Sheikh Khaled al Baradei, shot by a sniper during the morning skirmishes. Sheikh Baradei was reportedly a commander of the Sunni Islamist fighters, and his death led to further sectarian unrest within the city. Two journalists from an unknown news agency were also wounded during the day's fighting.[74]

Deaths and injuries

In the unrest of June 2011, at least 7 deaths were reported.[8] A further 2-3 deaths occurred during the incidents of February 2012.[75]

Since May 2012, violent political incidents have resulted in at least 62 fatalities;

  • 12-18 May: 12 people were killed and 100 others wounded in clashes between the Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in Tripoli.[23]
  • 20 May: A Lebanese Sunni cleric was killed along with his aid in Akkar, north Lebanon, while 3 were killed and 8 were wounded in Beirut's Tariq Jdideh neighbourhood.[31]
  • 23 May: Two people were killed and six others injured in Beirut.[citation needed]
  • 28 May: One person was killed in Batroun.[76]
  • 30 May: Two people were wounded in Tripoli.[45]
  • 2-3 June: 15 people were killed and over 60 others were wounded in Tripoli.[46][47][48][49]
  • 8 June: One person was killed and three others were wounded in Tripoli.[77]
  • 16 June: One person was killed and either others were wounded in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp.[citation needed]
  • 18 June: Three people were killed and 15 others werewounded in clashes between Palestinians and the Lebanese Army.[citation needed]
  • 18 July: One person was killed and several wounded in Tripoli during anti-Assad celebrations.[53][54]
  • 27 July: Two people were killed and 15 others were wounded in Tripoli.[78][79]
  • 8 August: Five people were wounded in clashes in Siddon between supporters and detractors of the Syrian government.[citation needed]
  • 9 August: Three people were killed and 10 others were wounded in clashes in north Lebanon between Sunni supporters of Hezbollah and Salafists.[70]
  • 20-24 August: 16 people were killed and more than 120 others were wounded in clashes in Tripoli.[80]

Reactions

In August, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, a native of Tripoli, issued a statement saying that "efforts to drag Lebanon more and more into the conflict in Syria when what is required is for leaders to cooperate...to protect Lebanon from the danger" and urged the international community to help prevent Lebanon from being another theater in the Syrian civil war.[81] He added: "The cabinet work is not a priority compared to what the country is witnessing when it comes to exposure to the Syrian crisis and attempts to transfer it to Lebanon. The country is in great danger."[82]

On 22 May, Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem condoled Sunni Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani over the killings, and relayed the condolences of Hassan Nasrallah.[83] The same day, Shadi Mawlawi, the Islamist whose arrest sparked the clashes in Tripoli, was released from custody, but Islamist protesters did not stop their sit-in protests, since they wanted 123 other Islamists freed as well.[84] The Future Movement called for Mikati to immediately resign, claiming his cabinet had shown incapability to maintain the country’s security.[85] Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Hezbollah of training and arming groups in Tripoli.[23]

An Nahar cited unnamed "western diplomatic sources" as stating that these incidents were the beginning of a Salafist revolution aimed at arming the uprising in Syria.[86] Salafists in Lebanon have often voiced their support for the uprising in Syria.[87] The March 14 alliance also accused the Syrian government of trying to drag Lebanon into its crisis. The Future Movement's former MP Mustafa Alloush said after regular weekly meeting: "It is actually an attempt to make of Tripoli a zone of terrorism. It also aims at striking Lebanon's northern area which has welcomed and helped out the Syrian displaced."[22] Calls by Rifaat Eid, the head of the Arab Democratic Party, for a return of the Syrian army to Tripoli to impose security in the city were rejected by Prime Minister Najib Mikati.[88]

International

On 21 May, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon appealed for calm after the clashes.[89]

On August 22, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, in a meeting of the Security Council, described the situation as "precarious" and warned that a deteriorating situation in Syria could destabilise Lebanon.[73][90]

On 23 May, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was a real threat of conflict spilling over from Syria and that it could have a very bad ending.[91]

On 23 May, King Abdullah wrote to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman expressing concern over the recent violence in Tripoli, especially the sectarian nature of the violence.[92]

On 25 May, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for restraint and said the U.S. was concerned the unrest in Syria would contribute instability in Lebanon.[93] In May, Ambassador Maura Connelly met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to express her concern with the security situation in Tripoli and commended the government's efforts to defuse the situation.[94]

See also

References

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