Key Facts
- Duration
- 4 days (2–6 July 1991)
- Role in conflict
- Final battle of the Lebanese Civil War
- Cause
- PLO refusal to disarm under the Taif Agreement
- PLO withdrawal deadline
- 1 July 1991
- Israeli withdrawal from S. Lebanon
- 24 May 2000
Strategic Narrative Overview
Fighting erupted on 2 July 1991 as Lebanese government forces engaged PLO fighters in and around Sidon. Over four days of urban combat, Lebanese forces pressed their advantage against the entrenched PLO positions. The PLO, lacking broader support and facing a determined government offensive, found itself unable to sustain resistance. By 6 July the PLO had capitulated, bringing active hostilities across Lebanon to a close.
01 / The Origins
The battle stemmed from the PLO's refusal to comply with the Taif Agreement, the accord that ended the Lebanese Civil War and required all militias, including the PLO, to disarm and withdraw. The Lebanese government set a deadline of 1 July 1991 for PLO forces to vacate Sidon. When the PLO did not comply, Lebanese government forces moved to expel them militarily, setting the stage for a direct confrontation.
03 / The Outcome
The PLO's surrender on 6 July 1991 marked the formal end of the Lebanese Civil War. The Lebanese government hoped that eliminating the PLO presence would remove Israel's stated justification for occupying Southern Lebanon, which Israel maintained as a buffer against PLO incursions. Israel did not immediately withdraw, however; its complete pullback to the internationally recognised border was not completed until 24 May 2000.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.