Middle East 673
Narrative: In July a Nasserite coup attempt failed in Syria, after which 27 of its lead-
ers were executed by the state. Syrian incursions into Lebanon followed as the govern-
ment continued to pursue Nasserites into Lebanon where many had established camp.
The secret transmitter of the “Voice of the Arab Nation” radio station was located in
Lebanon, presumably on the farm of Shibli el-Aryan, near Ballbek. Syria targeted this
transmitter for destruction.
On October 19, three or four Lebanese soldiers, one a captain, were killed in a
Syrian ambush at Anjar, on the main Lebanese-Syrian highway, two miles inside the
Lebanese border. In response, Lebanon rushed reinforcements to the area. Lebanon
also accused Syrian troops of firing on a Lebanese patrol three miles inside Lebanon,
a separate attack near Yanta that kidnapped a Lebanese gendarme, and a border incur-
sion near Ballbek that seized Lebanese citizens for questioning. The Lebanese also
arrested a Syrian captain and four soldiers on Lebanese territory. In total, Lebanon
alleged 17 Syrian incursions since August. On November 8, a Syrian-Lebanese com-
mission released a joint communique that said Syria “understood” the Lebanese view
on the October incident, that Syria would send a three-person delegation to Lebanon
to extend condolences to the Lebanese Army, and that a joint investigation would
punish those involved.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 19, 1963.
MID#3173
Dispute Number: 3173
Date(s): May 1, 1969 to November 3, 1969
Participants: 652 Syria/660 Lebanon
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: At the beginning of May 1969, Syrian-backed Al-Saiqa Palestinian guer-
rillas clashed with Lebanese forces around Mount Hermon in southern Lebanon on
the border with Israel. The guerrillas seized a police outpost at Hasbiya, ambushed
soldiers, killing one and kidnapping others. With a personal representative from
Nasser present the Lebanese government and Palestinian guerrilla leaders negotiated
to deadlock between May 9 and 11.
Fighting recurred starting October 20, once again at Mount Hermon, when guer-
rillas occupied two Lebanese villages. Guerrillas had previously occupied the same
territory to launch raids into Israel, which brought reprisal attacks on Lebanese terri-
tory. The next day the Palestine Liberation Organization said that Israeli and Leba-
nese troops had attacked and killed Palestinian fighters in southern Lebanon. Syria
responded by closing its border with Lebanon. Two days later the Lebanese govern-
ment imposed curfews in Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon to curb pro-guerilla demonstra-
tions, and the Lebanese Army engaged 300 Palestinian fighters who had attacked two
Lebanese customs and security posts. On October 24, Lebanese security forces fired
on pro-guerrilla demonstrations. Within two days the guerrillas and their sympathiz-
ers seized parts of Tripoli and three villages near the Syrian border. However, the
four-day guerrilla attack on Rasheiya Castle was unsuccessful, which left their supply
routes compromised.