Lebanese Forces (Christian militia)
The Lebanese Forces (Arabic: القوات اللبنانية, romanized: al-Quwwat al-Lubnāniyya) was one of the main Lebanese Christian factions of the Lebanese Civil War. Originally an umbrella organization for different parties, the Lebanese Forces later became a separate organization. The Lebanese Forces replaced the previous Kataeb Regulatory Forces as the military arm of the Christian Kataeb Party. It was mainly staffed by Maronite Christians loyal to Bachir Gemayel, and fought against the Lebanese National Movement, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Syrian Army among other enemies. The group gained infamy for their perpetration of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, which primarily targeted Palestinian refugees following Gemayel's assassination.
| Lebanese Forces القوات اللبنانية | |
|---|---|
Cross of Resistance flag of the Lebanese Forces militia, adopted in 1984 | |
| Also known as | Ouwet |
| Leaders | Bachir Gemayel Fadi Frem Fouad Abou Nader Elie Hobeika Samir Geagea |
| Dates of operation | 1976–1994 |
| Group(s) | Kataeb Party Lebanese Front |
| Headquarters | Ashrafieh, Karantina (Beirut), Amsheet, Bikfaya |
| Active regions | East Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, South Lebanon |
| Ideology | Conservatism Christian nationalism Lebanese nationalism Anti-communism Falangism Phoenicianism Maronism Muslim-Christian Unity Factions: Anti-Palestinianism Anti-Arabism |
| Political position | Right-wing to far-right |
| Status | Disbanded |
| Size | 12,000 |
| Allies | Lebanese Armed Forces (pro-Gemayel faction) Internal Security Forces Tigers Militia Guardians of the Cedars (until 1982) Israel Defense Forces (until 1982) Al-Tanzim Lebanese Youth Movement Tyous Team of Commandos Army of Free Lebanon South Lebanon Army |
| Opponents | Lebanese National Movement People's Liberation Army Amal Movement Al-Mourabitoun PNO SSNP-L Tigers Militia Marada Brigade LFEC Hezbollah Lebanese Armed Forces (pro-Aoun faction) PLO Syrian Armed Forces Israel Defense Forces (after 1982) |
| Battles and wars | Lebanese Civil War
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