Dr Walid Phares
Washington Sept 2nd, 2007
Director, Future Terrorism Project
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Today, the Lebanese Army completed its victory over
the Fatah al Islam forces in the Nahr al Bared
stronghold in Northern Lebanon. The "little brave
force," backed by the country's civil society and by
the Cedars Revolution accomplished in one small
area what major armies are hoping to achieve
globally: defeat al Qaeda. On this Sunday
September 2, the Lebanese soldiers and officers
finally took the last bunker of the al Qaeda linked
Jihadi terror group. Immediately after, the civilian
populations in Northern Lebanon, from Sunni Tripoli
and Dennieh, Maronite Zghortan and Besharre,
Orthodox Kura, and multiethnic Akkar, expressed
their joy to see the Jihadist removed. The local
victory of the Lebanese Army -despite the threat of
multiple identical groups in the country preparing
for clashes- shows that, what I called a "brave
little force," can confront and defeat Terrorists when
the Government is focused on such a policy. The
Lebanese Army is ill equipped, is emerging from 15
years of Syrian occupation and is under the pressure
of pro-Jihadist Parties and politicians including
Hezbollah and its allies. But nevertheless, the
multiethnic military force produced a victory on the
ground. It faced off with well trained Jihadists who
used suicide bombers, snipers, slaughter of
innocents, and all the panoply of weapons they have.
But, as the pictures have shown over the past few
months, the Lebanese military were fighting on their
soil, and had their population supporting them.
Bottom line: they won this one battle, by themselves
with their own arms, tanks, helicopters and more
than a hundred casualties. This was their Fallujah which
they freed alone.
But as important is the support received by the
military from the various Lebanese communities. This
second test since the Cedars Revolution shows that a
cross sectarian solidarity exist against the barbary
of the Jihadi terrorists. Among the army's
casualties, Sunnis, Christians, Druse and Shia.
Tripoli, mostly Sunni with Christian and Alawi
communities stood firmly by the Lebanese Army. In
the rest of the area, civilians from all religions
also supported their soldiers. This attitude sent chilling
messages to Hezbollah and his Syro-Iranian allies:
When you are confronting an army backed by its
people, you have little chance of intimidating it.
Also a message to many in the international media
who -sympathetic to Iran and Syria- projected the
masses to turn against the Army. Dead wrong: Not only
the Lebanese civilians stood by their armed forces
and Government, but a majority of Palestinians in
the camps sided with Mahmoud Abbas against the
Jihadists of Fatah al Islam. This is an experiment
that deserves the attention of the Free World, as
Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Palestine are
witnessing the Terror war against surging
democracies. The soldiers close to their societies can
win in the War on Terror.
Pictures and
comments that speaks to Lebanon's war on Terror
Following are pictures selected from the public data
of major news agencies. Also comments by the Cedars
Revolution News Service (CRNS).
Lebanese soldiers secure the area at the end of
fighting in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee
camp in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon,
Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Resistance by
al-Qaida-inspired militants in a northern
Palestinian camp. Reuters.
CRN Comment: Hundreds of Lebanese soldiers
and officers were killed in the battles with al
Qaeda's forces in Northern Lebanon. But Lebanese
sources say the "experience in fighting al Qaeda has
been immense."
Map locating the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in
northern Lebanon. Lebanese troops killed at least 27
Islamist militants and captured some 15 more when
they made a desperate bid to break the army's
three-month-old siege of their refugee camp
redoubt.(AFP Graphic)
CRN Comment: More than one Jihadi stronghold
exist in Lebanon, especially on the southern coasts
of the country
Two Lebanese soldiers wave to people as they
celebrate the end of fighting in the Nahr el-Bared
Palestinian refugee camp in the northern city of
Tripoli, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Resistance
by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a northern
Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday, hours
after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
CRN Comment: Lebanon's soldiers reflect its
civil society. Mostly educated, from various
communities and follow the Western doctrines of
engagement despite the 15 years of Syrian Baathist
occupation. Analysts believe that Hezbollah has a
number of partisans inside the Lebanese Army.
A Lebanese army convoy patrols the entrance of
the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp as a military
helicopter flies overhead in north Lebanon September
2, 2007. At least 20 Islamist militants were killed
in a battle with the Lebanese army on Sunday when
the fighters tried to flee a Palestinian refugee
camp in north Lebanon, a security source said.
REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim (LEBANON)
CRN Comment: Lebanese Army helicopters
participated in the battles against al Qaeda.
Military sources in Lebanon say the Army needs more
advanced helicopters to contain the other potential
threats. Observers int he West believe such new type
of helicopters could be sent to Lebanon after the
Presidential elections.
Smoke billows from the destroyed and besieged
refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in northern Lebanon,
30 August 2007. Lebanese troops killed at least 27
Islamist militants and captured some 15 more when
they made a desperate bid to break the army's
three-month-old siege of their refugee camp
redoubt.(AFP/Anwar Amro)
CRN Comment: The type of fortifications built
by al Qaeda and its affiliates in Lebanon is very
complex. Most of the bunkers are situated within
civilian neighborhood. The Lebanese Army had to
procede gradually to avoid civilian casualties
Lebanese soldiers gesture on the outskirts of
the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon
September 2, 2007. (Omar Ibrahim/Reuters)
CRN Comment: The type of soldiers "produced"
by the battles against al Qaeda will determine the
future encounter with the Terror forces.
Lebanese civilians wave national flags and chant
slogans after the Lebanese army took over of the
Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon
September 2, 2007. (Ayman Saidi/Reuters)
CRN Comment: The positive reaction by the
civilians after the victory at Nahr al Bared shows
the fundamental inclinations of the populations.
Lebanese civilians celebrate after their army
took control of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in
north Lebanon September 2, 2007. (Omar
Ibrahim/Reuters)
CRN Comment: It is to note that the military
action against al Qaeda in Lebanon, triggered a
significant Sunni opposition to the Takfiri and
Salafist forces in the country
banese army soldiers celebrate as they sit on
top an armoured vehicle outside the Palestinian camp
of Nahr al-Bared in northern Lebanon. Lebanese
troops seized control on Sunday of a Palestinian
refugee camp from die-hard Islamists, achieving what
Prime Minister Fuad Siniora called their "biggest
victory over terrorists."(AFP/Anwar Amro)
CRN Comment: The equipment of the Lebanese
soldiers is to notice: Helmets from Old American,
Soviet, French and even Syrian origin.
A Lebanese soldier hold hands with residents as
they celebrate the end of fighting in the Nahr
el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the northern
city of Tripoli, Lebanon Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.
Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a
northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday,
hours after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
CRN Comment: The trends among the youngest of
Lebanese, outside Hezbollah's zones, shows a
sympathy to the Lebanese Army.
Lebanese civilians wave national flags and chant
slogans after the Lebanese army took over of the
Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon
September 2, 2007. (Ayman Saidi/Reuters)
CRN Comment: Hezbollah and Syrian propaganda
attempted to project Lebanese civilians as
supporters of the Jihadists. But the natural
reaction of the Lebanese youth is in support of
their Army.
Lebanese civilians chant slogans and wave
national flags as they celebrate the army taking
over of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north
Lebanon September 2, 2007. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim
CRN Comment: The Cedars Revolution seem to
have reemerged in Northern Lebanon as a result of
the Lebanese Army victory against al Qaeda.
A Lebanese girl holds the national flag and
flashes the victory sign to celebrate the end of
fighting in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee
camp in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon,
Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Resistance by
al-Qaida-inspired militants in a northern
Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday, hours
after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
CRN Comment: Contrary to what Hezbollah's
propaganda claims, Lebanese women are overwhelmingly
against Jihadism, particularly al Qaeda, because
they will be the first ones to be oppressed if an
Islamist regime is established
Lebanese residents wave the national flag as
they celebrate the end of fighting in the Nahr
el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the northern
city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.
Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a
northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday,
hours after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo)
CRN Comment: Without the Petrodollars from
Iran, the masses in Lebanon move naturally with
their national armed forces. The Cedars Revolution
can be seen in different opportunities.
Lebanese people ride in a vehicle as they wave
the national flag to celebrate the end of fighting
in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp as
troop convoys poured into the area in the northern
city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.
Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a
northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday,
hours after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo)
CRN Comment: Northern Lebanon's kids are free
from the threat of al Qaeda's madrassas.
Residents carry Lebanese soldiers on their
shoulders as they celebrate the end of fighting in
the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the
northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 2,
2007. Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a
northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday,
hours after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
CRN Comment: Palestinian and Lebanese
civilians, if freed from radical organizations would
be inclined to live in Peace with each other.
Residents carry a Lebanese soldier on their
shoulders as they celebrate the end of fighting in
the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the
northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 2,
2007. Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a
northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday,
hours after a mass breakout left 39 militants dead,
Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end
to three months of fighting. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
CRN Comment: If the Lebanese Army is
empowered to deploy on all Lebanese territories,
including the Lebanese-Syrian borders and if the
militias are disarmed, the same pictures will be
seen all over the country.
Masked Palestinian militants hold a copy of the
Quran, Islam's holy book, in the Ein-el-Hilweh
Palestinian refugee camp, near the southern port
city of Sidon, Lebanon, in this Feb. 3, 2006 file
photo. The Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh
on the edge of the southern city of Sidon is where
most of the Palestinian radical groups are based and
where plots against Israel and Western influence in
Lebanon, and against Lebanese foes, are believed to
be hatched. It's the largest of the 12 camps in
Lebanon, housing about 45,000 of the 400,000
Palestinians whose exile dates from Israel's
creation in 1948. (AP Photo/ Mohammed Zaatari, File)
CRN Comment: Against the rise of freedoms and
democracy among Lebanese, particularly Muslims, the
Jihadists play the religious card blindly. But they
have failed in Northern Lebanon. Lebanese Muslims
rejected al Qaeda.
A Palestinian militant displays a picture of
al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden in the Ein-el-Hilweh
Palestinian refugee camp, near the southern port
city of Sidon, Lebanon, in this Feb. 3, 2006 file
photo. The Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh
on the edge of the southern city of Sidon is where
most of the Palestinian radical groups are based and
where plots against Israel and Western influence in
Lebanon, and against Lebanese foes, are believed to
be hatched. It's the largest of the 12 camps in
Lebanon, housing about 45,000 of the 400,000
Palestinians whose exile dates from Israel's
creation in 1948. (AP Photo/ Mohammed Zaatari, File)
CRN Comment: This is the leader of the
Terrorists in Lebanon. But Usama Bin laden was
rejected by the majority of Lebanese, including the
Sunnis.
Lebanese troops on an armoured personnel carrier
advance into the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north
Lebanon September 2, 2007. At least 20 Islamist
militants were killed in a battle with the Lebanese
army on Sunday when the fighters tried to flee a
Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon, a
security source said. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim (LEBANON)
CRN Comment: The Lebanese Army has fought a
battle for the liberation of Lebanon from the
Terrorists. It deserves the support of the Free
world.
A Palestinian Islamic militant carries an
automatic rifle and flags as he deploys in the
Taamir and Taware neighborhoods adjacent to Ein
el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, in the southern
city of Sidon, Lebanon in this June 6, 2007, file
photo. The Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh
on the edge of the southern city of Sidon is where
most of the Palestinian radical groups are based and
where plots against Israel and Western influence in
Lebanon, and against Lebanese foes, are believed to
be hatched. It's the largest of the 12 camps in
Lebanon, housing about 45,000 of the 400,000
Palestinians whose exile dates from Israel's
creation in 1948. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)
CRN Comment: Here are the faces of Terror
against Lebanon and the free world..
Lebanese soldiers take a break on the outskirts
of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon
September 2, 2007. At least 20 Islamist militants
were killed in a battle with the Lebanese army on
Sunday when the fighters tried to flee a Palestinian
refugee camp in north Lebanon, a security source
said. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim (LEBANON)
CRN Comment: And here are the faces of the
soldiers of liberation..the little brave force that
defeated al Qaeda
