Beirut 1976: The Birth of the Lebanese Forces

In early 1976, as Lebanon's civil war raged, a fragile alliance of Christian militias coalesced into the Lebanese Forces, a unified command that would reshape the conflict. This episode traces the merger of the Kataeb Regulatory Forces, the Tigers (National Liberal Party), and the Guardians of the Cedars under the leadership of Bashir Gemayel. We explore the Ahdabiyeh Accord that formalized the union, the battle for the Karantina slum and the subsequent massacre, and the shifting alliances with Syria and Israel. The episode also examines the role of the Lebanese Forces' intelligence chief, Elie Hobeika, whose actions would later become infamous. How did a patchwork of militias become a disciplined fighting force? And what did that mean for the civilians caught in the crossfire?

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