SUMMARY

In the second half of the 1970s IDF (Israeli Defence Force) was able to assist a few Maronite villages to coordinate militias under Lebanese army officer Major Saad Haddad. This group, called “Free Lebanon”, was the foundation of what was to become SLA (South Lebanon Army). The village militias were in 1976 able to block the supply route to the Marjayun barracks, where LAA (Libanese Arab Army) was stationed. The real creation of SLA, however, did not take place until 1985, as the Israeli forces were withdrawing from south Lebanon. The withdrawal was a result of internal and international critique of the Israeli occupation. SLA was to protect Israeli interests, mainly keeping the more than 10 km wide buffer zone, referred to as the security zone, free of anti-Israeli militias.

SLA was commanded by General Antoine Lahad. It is believed that the group had some 2500 to 3000 fighters. The fighters were enticed by high salaries that were paid by Israel. Reports also have argued that some of the ranks were filled through involuntary recruitment. When, in 1999, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced the withdrawal of IDF from the territory SLA, decided to abandon their posts and disband, rather than continue fighting Hezbollah, who they had been competing with for many years.

SLA has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.