Lebanon

Lebanese Republic (Lebanon)

Evidence of habitation in this region dates to at least 5000 BCE, and modern Lebanon is considered part of the original territory of the Phoenician People. The geographic area comprising modern Lebanon fell under the control Arab culture following the Muslim conquest of the Levant (634-638 CE), although it had previously become a major center of Christianity in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, in particular being the birthplace of the Maronite sect. Officially dominated by Islam and Arabic-speaking governments for the next several centuries, the country nevertheless became a cosmopolitan land where people of many ethnic groups and religious faiths co-existed, although not always peacefully. The region was drawn into open warfare during the Crusades (11th - 13th centuries CE), a period which also brought the local populace into contact with European (primarily Frankish) culture - a development that would have a lasting effect on Lebanon itself.

During the 16th century, Lebanon became a part of the Ottoman Empire and remained such until the end of the First World War. In 1920, the Empire was officially dissolved by a League of Nations Mandate, and was briefly claimed as a part of the Arab Kingdom of Syria; this was relatively short-lived, however, and in the latter half of that year the region of Greater Lebanon was established by the French government. The creation of a Lebanese Republic (under French administration) soon followed in 1926. The country achieved full independence during the Second World War, when France was still occupied by Nazi Germany. A key feature of this development was the unwritten National Pact (1943), in which it was established that key government positions would be held by individuals of particular religious or ethnic groups (President - Maronite, Prime Minister - Sunni, President of National Assembly - Sh'ia, Deputy Prime Minister - Greek Orthodox, and Chief of General Staff - Druze). The pact also established a slight favor of Christians over Muslims within Parliament. This agreement would impact Lebanese history well into the present era.

Lebanon was wracked by civil war between 1975 and 1990, during which time much of the country was broken into regions or districts controlled and independently governed by numerous warring factions, which were volatile and often politically inconstant. The major factions during this period included the Lebanese Front (الجبهة اللبنانية), South Lebanon Army (supported by Israel), various factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO, منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية), the Amal Movement (أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية - supported by Syria) and Hezbollah (حزب الله - supported by Iran). Both Israel and Syria were also drawn into the Lebanese Civil War, as well as the United Nations.

With so many differing factions and sources of support during the 15 years of civil war, the variety of military equipment and uniforms were naturally staggering. Yet many units and groups did become associated with certain symbols, insignia, and even modes of dress, including the wearing of certain camouflage patterns. These we have documented to the best of our ability, given the likelihood that such a task will always have missing pieces.

Since the end of the Civil War, the Republic of Lebanon (اَلْجُمْهُورِيَّة اَللُّبْنَانِيَّة) has largely remained stable, with a solid Armed Forces of over 72,000 personnel, including ground, air and naval elements. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) of today include not only a full complement of conventional units, but a number of special operations forces as well, including paratroopers, commandos, navy special operations and special counter-terrorism units.

The LAF have been influenced by a number of nations in developing their own national camouflage designs, including the USA, United Kingdom, Syria, and Pakistan.

Camouflage Patterns of the Lebanese Armed Forces

• An early Lebanese pattern from the 1980s, probably influenced by Syrian or Egyptian designs, is a vertical stripe pattern. Traditionally associated with the Magaweer Commandos of the Lebanese Army, the pattern has also been documented in use by Christian Phalangist militia members. A contemporary version is still worn by the Lebanese Army Commando Regiment of the same name. One nickname occasionally applied to this design has been the "rhubarb" pattern. There is some variability as to colors depending on the period the fabric was produced.

• The Pakistani brushstroke camouflage pattern was reproduced in Syria during the 1970s and early 1980s, and a variant was later introduced by Lebanon for issue to special units. This pattern is often nicknamed "wisp," although its derivation from brushstroke patterns is obvious. Today the pattern is worn by the Army's Moukafaha Regiment (a counter-sabotage unit).

• The Lebanese Gendarmerie (Amen el Dakhli) have worn a unique DPM camouflage pattern with a grey-dominant "urban" colorway since the 1980s. Incorporating dark grey, blue-grey and russet disruptive shapes on a light grey background, this remains in use today. Later variations (on ripstop fabric) have darker colors, with the reddish-brown becoming more burgundy and the base color a very light pale blue instead of grey. The nickname of the Gendarmerie is Al Darak.

• Surplus US m81 woodland camouflage uniforms began to see sporadic usage both by the LAF and insurgent forces almost as soon as they were available. By the late 1980s, the camouflage pattern had entered service with the Lebanese Army as the standard combat pattern, which it remains to this day. A number of different suppliers and producers over the years have led to a variety of different styles of woodland camouflage worn by the LAF.

• Another woodland variant pattern worn by some LAF units is a copy of the French Centre Europe (CE), although in a BDU uniform cut.

• Another camouflage pattern worn by the Lebanese Gendarmerie (Amen el Dakhli) is an arid derivative of DPM, having reddish-brown and green disruptive shapes on a sandy background. This appears to be worn primarily by Security Forces and the Presidential Guards.

• Around 2007, several units within the Lebanese Armed Forces began using a series of pixelated camouflage designs, at least one of which is unique to the LAF. The Lebanese Airborne Rgt Moujawkal camouflage pattern features dark and khaki-tan shapes on a sandy background. As of 2011, the latest information suggests this pattern has since been replaced by a copy of the US desert MARPAT camouflage.

• The Lebanese Commando Rgt Magaweer have been documented wearing a copy of the US MARPAT camouflage, although their traditional camouflage pattern is still worn as well.

• The Lebanese Navy Special Forces Regiment (SEALs) wear a copy of the US Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP).

• The camouflage design below appeared in 2011 and seems to be worn by members of the Lebanese Gendarmerie (Amen el Dakhli)

• The Airborne Regiment currently wears a commercial copy of the USMC issue desert MARPAT camouflage.

Camouflage Patterns of Paramilitary Units in Lebanon

• One camouflage pattern from the Civil War period associated specifically with a particular faction is the South Korean duck hunter design. Worn by the Phalange Lebanese Forces “commandos” during the 1980s, the uniforms were unquestionably sourced commercially through a South Korean manufacturer.

• The لحزب التقدمي الاشتراكي‎ (Progressive Socialist Party), or Parti Socialiste Progressiste is a political organization that dates back to 1949. During the long period of Civil War (1975-1990), the PSP were strong supporters of Arab identity and important contributors to the Lebanese National Movement. They have always been very supportive of Palestinian causes as well. Photos of the paramilitary wing during the 1970s and 1980s show many of their members wearing a camouflage design very similar to the Palestinian pattern below.