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South Lebanon Army
| South Lebanon Army | |
|---|---|
| جيش لبنان الجنوبي | |
 Flag of the South Lebanon Army (1984–2000) | |
| Founding leader | Saad Haddad (1977–1984) |
| Leaders | Antoine Lahad (1984–2000) |
| Dates of operation | October 1977 – May 2000 |
| Headquarters | Marjayoun, Lebanon |
| Active regions | Southern Lebanon, Tyre, Sidon, Jabal Amel, West Beirut |
| Ideology | Lebanese nationalism Secularism Maronite politics Multiconfessionalism Muslim-Christian Unity Anti-communism Factions: Anti-Palestinianism Zionism |
| Status | Disbanded in May 2000 |
| Size | c. 5,000 (early 1980s) c. 2,200 (1984)[1] c. 3,000 (early 1990s) |
| Allies |  Israel
Non-state actors: |
| Opponents |  Hezbollah Ba'athist Syria Palestine Liberation Organization
Other parties: |
| Battles and wars | Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) |
The South Lebanon Army or South Lebanese Army (SLA; Arabic: جيش لبنان الجنوبي, Jayš Lubnān al-Janūbiyy), also known as the Lahad Army (جيش لحد) or as the De Facto Forces (DFF),[2] was a Christian-dominated militia in Lebanon. It was founded by Lebanese military officer Saad Haddad in 1977, amidst the Lebanese Civil War, and evolved to operate as a quasi-military during the South Lebanon conflict, basing itself in Haddad's unrecognized State of Free Lebanon.
Initially, it was known as the "Free Lebanon Army" after it broke away from the Army of Free Lebanon, another Christian-dominated militia. After 1979, the SLA's activity was almost exclusively confined to southernmost Lebanon.[3] Under the aegis of Israel, the militia was bolstered by the 1982 Lebanon War. It came under increasing Israeli supervision following the collapse of the State of Free Lebanon in 1984 and subsequent establishment of the South Lebanon security belt administration.
As the most prominent pro-Israel militia in Israeli-occupied Lebanon, the SLA frequently engaged in armed clashes with Hezbollah, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and other militant groups.
After Israeli forces withdrew from Lebanon on 22 May 2000, the SLA positions collapsed in the face of Lebanese civilians and Hezbollah's advance towards South Lebanon and Saad Haddad's statue was dragged through the streets of Marjayoun. SLA members either fled to Israel, constituting Lebanese people in Israel, or were captured and tried for treason.
- ^ Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: SLA/IDF activities in Khiam in 1977; SLA-administered prison camps; SLA recruitment of Shi'ites, 1 June 1989, LBN1077, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aacb80.html
- ^ "Life on the edge: A peacekeeper looks back".
- ^ Government of Free Lebanon in exile
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