Archiv: South Lebanon Army (SLA) / founded by mercenary Saad Haddad as „Free Lebanon Army“ in 1976 / Israeli occupation proxy in South Lebanon until Israeli withdrawl in 2000


24.04.2026 - 20:12 [ Britannica.com ]

Lebanese Civil War

Among the consequences of the war was the Syrian occupation of Lebanon until 2005; the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000; the creation of the Hezbollah, a Shiʿi militia formed to confront Israel and later adapted into a political party and social welfare network; the expulsion of the PLO from Lebanon; and the rebuilding of Lebanon by a handful of businessmen, including the two-time prime minister (1992–98; 2000–04) Rafic al-Hariri. (…)

With Palestinian forces continuing to conduct cross-border raids into Israel, Israel launched a major reprisal attack in March 1978, sending troops into the south of Lebanon as far as the Litani River. The resulting conflict led to the establishment of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)—a peacekeeping force meant to secure Israeli withdrawal and support the return of Lebanese authority in the south—as well as to the creation of the South Lebanese Army (SLA)—a militia led by Saad Haddad and armed and financed by Israel to function as a proxy militia under Lebanese Christian command.

18.04.2026 - 19:50 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Angriff der Hisbollah vermutet: Französischer Blauhelmsoldat im Libanon getötet

(today)

UN-Soldaten beseitigten auf einer Straße im Süden Libanons Sprengsätze. Dabei gerieten sie unter Beschuss. Ein französischer Soldat wurde getötet. Frankreich vermutet die pro-iranische Hisbollah hinter dem Angriff.

18.04.2026 - 19:47 [ Time Magazine ]

The Renegade Militia Major

(May 16, 1983)

Haddad calls the territory “Free Lebanon.” To most people, however, the area is known as “Haddadland.” With Israeli backing, Haddad established the border enclave to thwart deployment of United Nations peace-keeping forces and regular Lebanese army units. Last February, he announced that he was extending his control over the entire 28-mile-wide zone that Israel has said is essential to its security.

18.04.2026 - 19:35 [ Grokipedia ]

South Lebanon Army

The South Lebanon Army (SLA) was a Lebanese militia established during the 1975–1976 Lebanese Civil War by Major Saad Haddad, a defected Lebanese Army officer, to secure southern Lebanon against Palestinian fedayeen incursions backed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).[1] With Israeli military and logistical support, the SLA controlled a border „security zone“ from the late 1970s, evolving into Israel‘s primary local proxy force after Haddad‘s death in 1984, when retired General Antoine Lahad assumed command.[2] Comprising 2,500 to 3,000 fighters drawn mainly from Christian and other non-Shiite communities in a predominantly Shiite region, the SLA conducted patrols, ambushes, and defensive operations alongside the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).[3]

(…)

In May 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak implemented a unilateral withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from southern Lebanon, fulfilling an election pledge from July 1999 to end the occupation of the security zone by July 2000, though accelerated due to mounting pressures.[64][3] On April 17, 2000, Israel formally notified the United Nations of its intent to withdraw in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 425, but proceeded without a negotiated agreement with Lebanon or Syria, leaving the South Lebanon Army (SLA) exposed to immediate collapse.[65][28] The withdrawal commenced on May 23 and concluded on May 24, 2000, with IDF forces pulling back to the 1949 armistice line amid rapid disintegration of SLA positions.[66][67]

18.04.2026 - 18:48 [ Jerusalem Post ]

‘Collateral damage’: Exiled Lebanese tells ‚Post‘ refugees back Israel’s fight against Hezbollah

(today)

Maryam Younnes was only five years old when she fled her home in Dibil in southern Lebanon, leaving behind her grandmother and cousins, unable to legally see or speak to them again.

Maryam’s father, Elias, was a commander in the South Lebanon Army (SLA). He defended the country’s sovereignty against the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which used the territory to launch attacks against Israel and brutalize local populations.

“We were in no man’s land. No one helped us. No one looked after us, just like what’s going on right now.

18.04.2026 - 18:20 [ theCradle.co ]

Israeli opposition leader calls to revive ‚South Lebanon Army‘ to assist with occupation

(October 10, 2024)

Lapid advocated regime change in Lebanon, saying, “the international community will need to appoint a sort of oversight committee for Lebanon to manage its civilian life for a set period until elections can be held and a new government can take control.”

Crucial to this effort would be the establishment of a collaborator Lebanese army loyal to Israel and its Western and Gulf allies.

(…)

Lapid claimed it would be easy to recruit Lebanese by paying soldiers in a new army $500 a month. New recruits would then be trained by French, Emirati, and US military officers.

The South Lebanon Army (SLA) was established by Israel in 1976 after the collapse of the Lebanese government due to civil war.

18.04.2026 - 18:13 [ theConversation.com ]

IDF actions against UN peacekeepers suggest Israel may be considering occupying part of southern Lebanon

(October 15, 2024)

Since 1978, Unifil has lost 337 peacekeepers, making Lebanon the most costly, in human terms, of all the UN peacekeeping operations. But despite these risks it has remained in post. Throughout Unifil’s deployment, IDF has put it under pressure both directly and through a proxy force, the South Lebanon Army (SLA). As such Unifil has a strong institutional memory of staying put in the direst of circumstances which makes it unlikely to recommend a drawdown.

18.04.2026 - 17:49 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Hezbollah denies involvement in deadly attack on UN peacekeepers

Hezbollah on Saturday denied it was involved in a deadly attack on United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon, after France accused the group of being behind the incident.

„Hezbollah denies any connection to the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh-Bint Jbeil area, and calls for caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities regarding the incident pending the Lebanese Army‘s investigations to determine the full circumstances of the incident,“ the group said in a statement.

One peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded from the French battalion, with Paris blaming Hezbollah.

18.04.2026 - 17:40 [ Unifil.unmissions.org ]

UNIFIL statement (18 April 2026)

18 April 2026

This morning, a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to re-establish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small-arms fire from non-state-actors. Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were injured, two of them seriously.

The injured peacekeepers have been taken to medical facilities for treatment.

We extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the brave peacekeeper who lost his life in service of peace. Our thoughts and wishes go out for the full and speedy recovery of the injured peacekeepers.

UNIFIL condemns this deliberate attack on peacekeepers engaged in their mandated tasks. The work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the mission’s area of operations especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.

UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hizbullah).

We reiterate the obligations of all actors under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.

UNIFIL calls on the Government of Lebanon to swiftly initiate an investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable for the crimes committed against UNIFIL peacekeepers.

16.10.2024 - 05:11 [ theCradle.co ]

Israeli opposition leader calls to revive ‚South Lebanon Army‘ to assist with occupation

(October 10, 2024)

Lapid advocated regime change in Lebanon, saying, “the international community will need to appoint a sort of oversight committee for Lebanon to manage its civilian life for a set period until elections can be held and a new government can take control.”

Crucial to this effort would be the establishment of a collaborator Lebanese army loyal to Israel and its Western and Gulf allies.

(…)

Lapid claimed it would be easy to recruit Lebanese by paying soldiers in a new army $500 a month. New recruits would then be trained by French, Emirati, and US military officers.

The South Lebanon Army (SLA) was established by Israel in 1976 after the collapse of the Lebanese government due to civil war.

16.10.2024 - 04:56 [ theConversation.com ]

IDF actions against UN peacekeepers suggest Israel may be considering occupying part of southern Lebanon

Since 1978, Unifil has lost 337 peacekeepers, making Lebanon the most costly, in human terms, of all the UN peacekeeping operations. But despite these risks it has remained in post. Throughout Unifil’s deployment, IDF has put it under pressure both directly and through a proxy force, the South Lebanon Army (SLA). As such Unifil has a strong institutional memory of staying put in the direst of circumstances which makes it unlikely to recommend a drawdown.