Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have caused thousands of deaths since they began a few weeks ago. The rising death toll is accompanied by the violent displacement of 1.2 million people, about a quarter of the country’s population. A country that has already been subjected to great tests is experiencing another crisis. Despite all this, her national army remains… a mere observer.
Specifically, as Israel pounds southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) face an unprecedented dilemma: whether to join a war to defend their homeland.
First of all, such a move would mean supporting Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist organization by much of the West – which largely funds the LAF.
However, beyond this particular “conflict of interest”, Foreign Policy magazine explains that there is another key reason why “the LAF will probably stay out of the war as long as it can”: it is a war in which the LAF cannot afford to win – or even participate in combat.
Army for domestic stability
“The Lebanese army has a different function than any other army,” explains Sami Atallah, director of the Lebanese think-tank “The Policy Initiative”. “The military does not have the resources to defend its territory – it is used to maintain domestic stability.”
In particular, the LAF since the end of the 15-year civil war that rocked Lebanon in 1990 has mostly functioned as a domestic bulwark against sectarian and sectarian tensions.
Military Decline of the Army in Lebanon
Numbering fewer than 80,000 troops, with outdated tanks and no air force, it can neither confront Hezbollah inside the country nor defend it against an Israeli attack. For example, the relevant rating agency Global Firepower ranks the LAF 118th out of 145 countries in terms of military power, while the IDF is among the 20 most powerful armed forces in the world.
The economic collapse in Lebanon
At the same time, the economic collapse of Lebanon since 2019 has also affected the Lebanese Armed Forces as well as many citizens of the country. Many of the soldiers work two and three jobs to make ends meet, since wages can reach $100 a month for lower ranks. In fact, the US and Qatar have stepped in to fund some of the salaries of Lebanese soldiers, while according to Foreign Policy, the US has spent a total of more than $3 billion on the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2006.
The army in Lebanon is far from fighting, it dominates the institutions
However, despite its military decline, polls often place the LAF at the top of the list of institutions most trusted by Lebanese citizens. This is explained as the national army is essentially the only institution that represents the entire mix of this religiously diverse country.
Thus, although it is far from fighting in this conflict, it is called upon to play its peacemaking role as large numbers of Shiite Muslims displaced from the bombed areas of Beirut and the south are forced to move to areas with majorities from other religious groups – a a process that the military ensures goes smoothly.
The role of the military in post-conflict Lebanon
It is expected to play a similar role after the conflict, many analysts argue, to facilitate or enforce any agreement that might end the war.
Respected by the entire religious spectrum of citizens
“Since the LAF is seen as the only non-partisan institution in Lebanon and is respected by citizens across the religious spectrum, it is the only actor that can theoretically mediate between religious communities in case of tensions between them. To fulfill this role, the LAF must remain neutral and refrain from supporting Hezbollah in the war,” Foreign Policy reports.
Of course, analysts cite one more possibility. Given the weakening of Hezbollah following Israeli strikes on its leadership, “an opening presents itself for the LAF to consolidate its role in national security.”
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