South Lebanon Army
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), 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.
| 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 Anti-communism Anti-Palestinianism |
| Status | Disbanded in May 2000 |
| Size | c. 5,000 (early 1980s) c. 2,200 (1984) c. 3,000 (early 1990s) |
| Allies | Israel
Non-state actors: |
| Opponents | Hezbollah Syria Palestine Liberation Organization Other parties: |
| Battles and wars | Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) |
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. 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.