The 2007 Lebanon conflict was the most severe internal fighting in Lebanon since the 1975–90 civil war, centered on the siege of Nahr al-Bared camp.
Key Facts
- Start date
- May 20, 2007
- End date
- September 2007
- Primary location
- Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, near Tripoli
- Secondary location
- Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, southern Lebanon
- Severity ranking
- Most severe internal fighting since civil war (1975–90)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Fatah al-Islam, an Islamist militant organization, had established a presence in the UNRWA Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared near Tripoli. Tensions between the group and Lebanese state forces escalated until open confrontation became unavoidable in May 2007.
Fighting erupted on May 20, 2007, between Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Armed Forces inside Nahr al-Bared. The conflict expanded to include clashes at the Ain al-Hilweh camp in southern Lebanon and a series of bombings in and around Beirut, making it a multi-front internal security crisis.
The Lebanese Armed Forces ultimately besieged and subdued Fatah al-Islam, with fighting ending in September 2007. The conflict was recognized as the worst internal violence Lebanon had experienced since the conclusion of its 1975–90 civil war, leaving the Nahr al-Bared camp severely damaged.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent