How Did the Lebanon Civil War Start?
The Lebanon Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, was one of the most devastating conflicts in the history of the Middle East. The war began as a result of a complex mix of political, religious, and social tensions that had been simmering beneath the surface for years. Understanding how the Lebanon Civil War started requires examining the underlying causes and the events that triggered the conflict.>
The roots of the Lebanon Civil War can be traced back to the late 1940s and early 1950s, when Lebanon gained independence from France. During this period, Lebanon was a diverse country with a population consisting of Christians, Muslims, and Druze. The country’s political system was based on a power-sharing agreement known as the National Pact, which aimed to ensure that each religious group had a proportional share of political power. However, this system was fragile and often led to tension and conflict.
One of the key factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Lebanon Civil War was the rise of radical Islamist groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These groups were influenced by the broader Arab-Israeli conflict and sought to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon. They were opposed by the Christian Phalange Party, which sought to maintain the status quo and prevent the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
The war officially began on April 13, 1975, when a clash between Christian and Muslim factions in the northern city of Sidon escalated into a full-scale conflict. The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of the Christian leader, President Bashir Gemayel, who was killed by a bomb planted by a Palestinian militant group. This event was followed by a series of clashes between Christian and Muslim factions, which quickly spread throughout the country.
As the war progressed, various factions formed alliances and engaged in a brutal conflict that left tens of thousands of people dead and millions displaced. The conflict was marked by widespread violence, including massacres, bombings, and the use of weapons of mass destruction. The war also became a proxy conflict, with various foreign powers supporting different factions, including Syria, Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
The Lebanon Civil War finally ended in 1990, with the Taif Agreement, which established a new political order that aimed to address the root causes of the conflict. However, the war left a lasting impact on Lebanon, with its economy, infrastructure, and social fabric all suffering greatly. The scars of the war are still visible today, as Lebanon continues to grapple with the legacy of its darkest period.>
