From its inception, the Syrian Civil War has produced and inspired a great deal of strife and unrest in the nation of Lebanon. Prior to the Battle of Arsal in August 2014, the Lebanese Army has tried to keep out of it and the violence has been mostly between various factions within the country and overt Syrian involvement has been limited to airstrikes and occasional accidental incursions.
Early incidents
In interfactional clashes in Tripoli between Sunnis and Alawites, seven people were killed and 59 wounded, on 17 June 2011. Clashes erupted following a rally in support of Syrian protesters. Fighting broke out between gunmen positioned in the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen (mainly Alawites who support the Syrian government) and Bab al-Tabbaneh (mainly Sunnis, supporting the Syrian uprising). Among the dead were a Lebanese army soldier and an official from the Alawite Arab Democratic Party.
From 10 to 11 February 2012, two or three people died in fighting in Tripoli's neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tebbaneh. An intervention by the Lebanese Army resulted in the injury of six soldiers.
On 29 April 2012, the Lebanese navy confiscated a large consignment of arms and ammunition on the container ship "Lutfallah II," which was headed for the port of Tripoli in northern Lebanon before it was intercepted. The ship had begun its voyage from Libya and it is generally believed the consignment was destined for the rebels in Syria. Four people were also wounded during a clash between supporters of the Syrian opposition and Sunni supporters of Assad from the Tawheed Movement.
May 2012 Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen clashes
In May 2012, Salafists demanded the release of a Sunni Islamist, Shadi Mawlawi, who had been arrested on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization. NOW lebanon, 14 May 2012
The arrest of Mawlawi triggered a new round of fighting between Islamists and Alawites in Tripoli. Two to four people were killed when fighting erupted on the night of 12 May 2012. In the evening of 12 May, rocket-propelled grenades were used in an Alawite enclave and surrounding Sunni neighbourhoods in the port city. Hours before the clashes, Lebanese troops exchanged fire with a group of Islamists protesting in Tripoli for the release of a terrorism suspect. The Islamists tried to approach the offices of the pro-Syrian Syrian Social Nationalist Party. In all, three of the dead were reportedly Sunni civilians, while one was an army officer.
The fighting continued on 14 May, which resulted in the death of five Alawites and one Sunni. The army then deployed to the area on 15 May, and engaged in gunbattles with residents that left eight wounded, including a soldier. By 16 May, the clashes left 11 dead, including a soldier.
By 18 May, a total of 12 people were dead and more than 100 wounded in the clashes.
Killing of Ahmad Abdel-Wahid
On 20 May 2012, a prominent Lebanese Sunni cleric, Ahmad Abdel-Wahid, and his aide, Mohammed Merheb, were killed by the Lebanese Army, when failing to stop at a check point in Akkar. His death provoked protesters into cutting off roads in many parts of the country with burning tires.
The following day, 22 army personnel present at the shooting were arrested. On 22 May, the Islamist Shadi Mawlawi was released in Tripoli.
On 24 May, the Islamist protesters in Tripoli threatened that their demonstrations would spread all over Lebanon if about 180 Islamists arrested and accused of participating in the 2007 Lebanon conflict were not released.
Beirut clashes
On 20 May 2012, the evening following the killing of Sheikh Abdel-Wahid, clashes erupted in Beirut's Tariq Jdideh neighborhood between armed Sunni militants of the Future Movement and Sunnis of the Arab Movement Party, leaving three dead and ten wounded and creating a tense security situation in the capital and the country as a whole.
On 6 September 2012, two people were wounded in gunfights between Future Movement members in Beirut, and the army was deployed in the area.
Kidnappings
In May 2012, Syrian opposition members kidnapped three pro-Syrian government Lebanese in the village of Zeita near the Syrian border. In retaliation, 60 Syrian workers were kidnapped. The prisoners were exchanged on 16 May.
On 22 May, at least 16 Lebanese Shia pilgrims were reportedly kidnapped by the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo. The FSA denied responsibility and blamed them on what they termed "mafia gangs" and stated that they would help free the pilgrims. The kidnappers said they would release the pilgrims if Lebanon recognised the Syrian opposition. Of 11 hostages being held, one was released on 25 August.
In late May, two Lebanese farmers were kidnapped and transported to Syria by pro-Syrian government forces. Rifaat Eid of the Arab Democratic Party mediated for their release, which occurred on 3 June.
Several people were kidnapped, in response to other kidnappings, in June. On 25 August, a Kuwaiti citizen was kidnapped in Howsh al-Ghanam in the Bekaa valley. However, the political nature of the kidnapping was questioned by the security services.
The Shia al-Meqdad clan abducted a group of 20 people, mainly alleged FSA members but also a Turk, in retaliation for the kidnapping of Hassan al-Meqdad on 13 August 2012 by the FSA. The armed branch of the clan threatened more actions if he was not released. Several others who were kidnapped earlier were released as they were not affiliated with the FSA. As a result of the kidnappings and warnings, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and other Gulf Arab countries warned its citizens to leave Lebanon. Hezbollah's Nasrallah said the situation was out of control and, in turn, prompted criticism of Hezbollah by 14 March.
June–July Tripoli clashes
On 30 May 2012, two people were wounded in clashes between the Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods.
On 2–3 June, 15 people were killed and over 60 wounded in clashes around Tripoli. As a result of the fighting, the Army re-entered Syria Street, that divides the warring neighborhoods. Following the declaration of a cease-fire, during the night of 3 June, one policeman and one soldier were wounded.
On 8 June, one person was killed and three others were wounded when gunfire hit the Alawite neighborhood in Tripoli.
On 25 June, there were clashes between families supporting different political factions in Miniyeh, North Lebanon.
On 18 July, one was killed and several were wounded during anti-Syrian celebrations in Tripoli, following the bombing of several Syrian ministers.
On 27 July, two men who were on their way home to Jabal Mohsen were stabbed, which lead to clashes.
Clashes near Lebanese–Syrian Border
At the beginning of the summer 2012, two Hezbollah fighters were killed in a clash with Syrian rebels who were on Lebanese territory.
On 17 September, Syrian Ground-attack aircraft fired missiles into Lebanese territory near Arsal. It was suggested that the jets were chasing rebels in the vicinity. The attack prompted president Michel Sleiman to launch an investigation.
On 22 September, members of the Free Syrian Army attacked a border post near Arsal. This was reported to be the second incursion within a week. The group were chased off into the hills by the Lebanese Army, who detained and later released some rebels due to pressure from dignified locals. Michel Sleiman praised the actions taken by the military as maintaining Lebanon's neutral position. Syria has repeatedly called for an intensified crackdown on rebels that it claims are hiding in Lebanese border towns.
On 11 October 2012, shells fired by the Syrian military hit Masharih al-Qaa, where previous shelling incidents have caused fatalities. Lebanon's position of ignoring the attacks remained unchanged.
In October Hassan Nasrallah denied Hezbollah was fighting alongside the Syrian army, but that Lebanese in Syria were only protecting Lebanese inhabited villages from the Free Syrian Army.
June 2012 refugee camp clashes
On 16 June 2012, a Palestinian man was killed and eight others were wounded in clashes with the Lebanese Army in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. On 18 June, two Palestinians were killed and 10 more wounded in the camp and one Palestinian was killed in Ain al-Hilweh camp while protesting by the Lebanese Army. On 27 June, clashes erupted in the Bourj al-Barajneh camp, with no casualties.
Ahmed al-Assir sit in
The Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmed Al-Assir and his supporters staged a sit in in Sidon to protest Hezbollah's weapons. This led to clashes between Assir-supporters and members of the Popular Nasserist Organization. An AFP photographer was beaten during the clash. The following day, counter-protests were held.
On 8 August 2012, a gunfight between supporters and rivals of Assir wounded five, including two women.
Michel Samaha arrest
On 9 August 2012, Lebanese police arrested former minister Michel Samaha, who was later indicted for inciting sectarian strife through "terrorist attacks" on behalf of the Syrian government. The court also indicted two Syrian army officials, the head of Syrian National Security Bureau Ali Mamlouk and Brigadier General Adnan. Reportedly, Samaha confessed to planning on carrying out several bombings in northern Lebanon. The March 14 alliance called for a rapid investigation and, if confirmed, an immediate cutting of relations with Syria. The ruling March 8 alliance meanwhile dismissed Samaha's arrest as a "March 14 campaign".
August Tripoli clashes
On 9 August 2012, Sunni supporters of Hezbollah from the Tawheed Movement clashed with Salafists in Tripoli.
On 20 and 21 August 12 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, including 15 soldiers, in clashes between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in Tripoli, according to security and medical sources. At least two of the dead were from Jabal Mohsen and five were from Bab al-Tabbaneh. Five of the soldiers were injured by gunfire, and another five after a grenade was lobbed at an army checkpoint.
On 22 August, the Lebanese Army deployed troops into the feuding neighborhoods. However, the army sustained heavy casualties, and was forced to retreat. After opening a dialogue with community leaders, the army managed to forge a ceasefire between the two parties.
The ceasefire dissolved on 23 August, as fresh clashes erupted across the city. The Lebanese Army has deployed tanks to the neighbourhoods.
On 24 August, further fighting occurred between Sunni and Alawite fighters in the Qobbah and Jabal Muhsin neighbourhoods. At least 7 Alawite-owned shops in Sunni neighborhoods were torched. Fighting escalated after the death of Sunni cleric Khaled al Baradei, shot by a sniper during the morning skirmishes. Sheikh Baradei was reportedly a commander of the Sunni Islamist fighters. Two journalists were also wounded during the day's fighting.
Wissam al-Hassan assassination
On 19 October 2012, a car bomb killed eight people in Achrafiyeh, including Wissam al-Hassan, chief of the Intelligence Bureau of the Internal Security Forces. 78 others were wounded in the bombing. It was the largest attack in the capital since 2008. There was speculation that Syria, or its allies, were behind the attack. Al-Hassan had also led the investigation that implicated Syria and its ally Hezbollah in the killing of Rafik al-Hariri. However, al-Hassan himself had also been a prime suspect during the Hariri investigation, and had close ties with Saudi intelligence, and was said to have ties to Mossad.
The assassination triggered violent unrest throughout the country. A host of Future TV called on a crowd to head toward the Grand Serail, and the protesters subsequently clashed with the police. Sunni gunmen set up checkpoints, scrutinising the sectarian identify of passers by.