Hundred Days War: The 1978 Conflict in East Beirut
The Hundred Days War (Arabic: Harb Al-Mia'at Yaoum) was a violent subconflict during the 1977–82 phase of the Lebanese Civil War. Centered in the capital city of Beirut, the conflict pitted the allied Christian militias of the Lebanese Front against the Syrian military forces of the Arab Deterrent Force (ADF). Spanning exactly 100 days from July 1 to October 8, 1978, the war represented a critical struggle for control over East Beirut and a clash of political visions for Lebanon's future.
Key Facts
- Duration: July 1 – October 8, 1978.
- Primary Location: East Beirut, Lebanon.
- Main Belligerents: The Lebanese Front (led by Bachir Gemayel) vs. Syria (Syrian Arab Army).
- Outcome: Victory for the Lebanese Front; Syrian withdrawal from East Beirut.
- Casualties: Approximately 200 dead and 400 injured.
- Resolution: Syrian troops were replaced by Saudi and Sudanese forces of the Arab Deterrent Force.
Background and Origins
The roots of the conflict lay in the complex alliances of the mid-1970s. In January 1976, several Christian parties—including the Kataeb Party (Phalange), the National Liberal Party (NLP), and Al-Tanzim—formed the Lebanese Front. This coalition served as a political counterweight to the alliance between the Lebanese National Movement (LNM) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
To coordinate military efforts against Syrian intervention, these militias established a joint military command in August 1976 known as the Lebanese Forces (LF). Under the leadership of Bachir Gemayel, the LF began a policy of "unification of the rifle," aiming to consolidate all Christian militias under a single command. This centralization of power, combined with Syria's reluctance to suppress the LNM-PLO alliance in West Beirut, led to a severe deterioration in relations between the LF and the Syrian regime in Damascus.
The Course of the Conflict
The war began on July 1, 1978, when the Syrian army launched a major offensive to remove the anti-Syrian leadership of the Lebanese Front from their strongholds in Beirut. Syria deployed 15,000 troops supported by heavy artillery, which subjected residential areas to intense shelling, sometimes reaching 100 shells per minute.
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Despite the overwhelming firepower, the Lebanese Front, unified under Bachir Gemayel, launched a series of counter-operations. The conflict reached a turning point when Syrian special forces brigades were encircled and forced to surrender. This unexpected defeat caused a collapse in Syrian morale and led the Syrian leadership to question the feasibility of a total military takeover of Lebanon.
International Intervention
The Soviet Union intervened on behalf of Syria, calling a UN Security Council meeting on October 7, 1978. The brief meeting resulted in Resolution 436, which called for an end to the fighting and the cessation of Syria's "de-zionification" operations, while recognizing the legitimacy of the Lebanese Front as representatives of the Lebanese Free Zones.
Aftermath and Consequences
The end of the Hundred Days War did not bring immediate peace. Tensions remained high, exacerbated by the LF's attack on the pro-Syrian Marada Brigade, which led to the Ehden massacre. President Elias Sarkis even threatened to resign in protest of the Syrian bombardment of East Beirut, though he later withdrew the threat.
A diplomatic resolution was finally reached in October 1978 during a meeting in Beiteddine between Lebanese Foreign Ministers and Arab League states contributing to the ADF (Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sudan, Qatar, and the UAE). The resulting agreement led to the lifting of the siege of Achrafieh and the complete withdrawal of Syrian troops from East Beirut. They were replaced by Saudi and Sudanese troops, who were viewed by the Lebanese Front as more impartial mediators.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 1 – October 8, 1978 |
| Primary Goal | Syrian attempt to dislodge Lebanese Front leadership |
| Key Figures | Bachir Gemayel (LF), Hafez al-Assad (Syria) |
| UN Action | Resolution 436 |
| Final Result | Syrian withdrawal; replacement by Saudi/Sudanese ADF troops |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary cause of the Hundred Days War?
The war was caused by the tension between the Syrian regime and the Lebanese Forces (LF) under Bachir Gemayel, specifically regarding the LF's efforts to unify Christian militias and Syria's refusal to suppress the LNM-PLO alliance in West Beirut.
Who were the main combatants in the conflict?
The main combatants were the Lebanese Front (comprising the Kataeb Party, National Liberal Party, Al-Tanzim, and others) and the Syrian Arab Army, supported by the Defense Companies.
How did the war end?
The war ended following UN Resolution 436 and diplomatic negotiations in Beiteddine, which resulted in Syrian troops withdrawing from East Beirut and being replaced by more impartial Saudi and Sudanese forces.
What was the "unification of the rifle"?
The "unification of the rifle" was a policy implemented by Bachir Gemayel to merge various independent Christian militias into a single, centralized military power base under the Lebanese Forces.
What was the significance of the surrender of Syrian special forces?
The surrender of these brigades after being encircled caused a massive collapse in Syrian military morale and forced the Syrian leadership to reconsider their strategy for controlling Lebanon.