Lebanese Civil War
1975–1990 Civil War in Lebanon / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lebanese Civil War (April 1975 – October 1990)[1] was a conflict that was significantly worsened by Lebanon's changing demographics. Fighting was between the Islamic movements Sunnis and Shias, as well as Christians and Muslims. Involvement from external actors, such as Syria, Israel, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), worsened and made the existing conflict more complicated, with the additional impact of the Palestinian-Israeli tensions slowly intertwining with the Lebanese Civil War. This was triggered by about 300,000 Palestinian individuals living in refugee camps at the Lebanese border.[2] After a short break in the fighting in 1976 due to Arab League mediation and Syrian intervention, fighting continued in South Lebanon, first occupied by the PLO and after that by Israel.
Violent events increased from the end of the 1960s and the first half of 1970s. Several armed movements were created, with different political views. The Lebanese National Movement, led by Kamal Jumblatt, wanted to end the religious class society system.[3] Sunni and Shi'i struggled for more representation and supported the Palestinian refugees. Many Palestinians joined the struggles.[4]