Lebanese Forces القوات اللبنانية | |
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Founder | Bachir Gemayel |
Leaders | Bachir Gemayel (1976–1982) Fadi Frem (1982–1984) Fouad Abou Nader (1984–1985) Elie Hobeika (1985–1986) Samir Geagea (1986–1994) |
Dates of operation | 1976–1994 |
Headquarters | Military Council in Karantina, Beirut (until 1990) Ghidras, Keserwan District (until 1994) |
Active regions | East Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, South Lebanon |
Ideology | Conservatism Christian nationalism Lebanese nationalism Anti-communism Maronism Federalism in Lebanon Anti Pan-Arabism |
Political position | Right-wing to far-right |
Status | Disarmed |
Size | 12,000 (1981) [1] |
Allies | Lebanese Armed Forces (pro-government faction) Internal Security Forces Israel Defense Forces (until 1982) Iraq Army of Free Lebanon South Lebanon Army |
Opponents | Lebanese National Movement People's Liberation Army Amal Movement Al-Mourabitoun PNO SSNP-L Tigers Militia (until 1980) Marada Brigade LFEC Hezbollah Lebanese Armed Forces (pro-Aoun faction) PLO Syrian Armed Forces |
Battles and wars | Lebanese Civil War |
The Lebanese Forces (Arabic: القوات اللبنانية, romanized: al-Quwwāt al-Lubnāniyya) was the main Lebanese Christian faction during the Lebanese Civil War. Resembling the Lebanese Front which was an umbrella organization for different parties, the Lebanese Forces was a militia consisting of fighters originating from the different right-wing parties. 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 Armed Forces among others. The group gained infamy for their perpetration of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, which primarily targeted Palestinian refugees following Gemayel's assassination.