LEBANON--PARTICIPATION IN FIGHTING OF SYRIAN, PALESTINIAN, IRANIAN, AND LIBYAN FORCES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 16, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 12, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
UNCLASSIFIED
12 September 1983
SUBJECT: Lebanon--Participation in Fighting of Syrian,
Palestinian, Iranian and Libyan Forces
STAT
the Syrians are STAT
C%T AT
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lig
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l lam.
Syrians have shelled B
eirut,
they have encouraged attacks on the MNF. We do not believe, STAT
however, that they are responsible for shelling the Beirut
airport. 1_= I
the active participation of Palestinian forces with STAT
the Druze in the fighting in the Shuf and Alayh districts;
both Libyan and Iranian STAT
participation.
The extent of Syrian involvement is not known precisely.
Syrian assistance, however, has doubtless prolonged the struggle
in the Shuf. Syria's most important contributions have been
delivering military supplies, and permitting the movement
Palestinian, Iranian, and possibly Libyan fighters into the Shuf
and Alayh. Syrian ammunition has probably enabled the Druze
artillery to maintain the prodigious rate of fire they have kept
up throughout the past week. The Syrians may also be providing
supporting artillery fire to the Druze. By supplying the Druze
in Alayh, and the Shia in Beirut, with weapons and ammunition,
the Syrians hope that in renewed rounds of fighting they and
their Lebanese allies can mount sufficient pressure on President
Gemayel to force him to declare a government of national unity,
or to force the fall of his government.
the actual participation of Syrian STAT
commando units in the ground fighting, although we have no
confirmation of such involvement. It is unlikely that Syrian
advisers or even a few commandos have had a significant impact STAT
the course of the fighting so far, however.
Syrian Defense Minister Tlas con irms publicly, that STAT
the Syrians are prepared to deploy their own troops if the Druze
appear to be on the verge of defeat. The Syrians have
established a checkpoint in Bhamdun, about three miles west of
their previous positions, and a command center the town. Some
Syrian forces may also have entered the contested Shuf and may
now be in the Dayr al Qammar area, which is filled with Christian
refugees.
STAT
STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
Libyan fighters moving to STAT
reinforce a Druze position, probably in the contested Alayh
area. The Libyans have reportedly also provided Druze leader
Junblatt with financial help. A small number of Iranian forces
with armored vehicles have deployed in Alayh and the Shuf.
Palestinian and, most likely, Libyan and Iranian fighters
have supported attacks on Druze targets such as Bhamdun and Suq
al Gharb. Although these fighters probably number no more than
1,000 men, they have supplemented Druze manpower, enabling the
Druze militia to tie down the Lebanese Army near Beirut and at
the same time subdue Christian villages in the eastern Shuf and
Alayh districts. A variety of Palestinian factions have
participated, including moderate Fatah troops, rejectionist,
units and anti-Arafat rebels from the Bekaa Valley.
PLO elements retain weapons caches inside Beirut, which are
reportedly intended for distribution to Palestinian and Lebanese
Muslim fighters in the event that more fighting breaks out in thA
city. PLO elements outside the STAT
city are deploying in support of current Druze objectives in the
Shuf, with the ultimate objective of reaching Beirut. Indeed,
some rebel PLO vehicles have the slogan, "Forces of the Return to
Beirut" painted on them.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5
/ UNCLASSIFIED.
SUBJECT: Lebanon--Participation in Fighting of Syrian,
Palestinian, Iranian, and Libyan Forces
NESA M#83-10234
Orig - DCI
1 - DDI
4 - CPAS/IMD/CB
1 - C/PES
1 - NIO/NESA
1 - D/NESA
2 - NESA/PPS
1 - NESA/AI
1 - NESA/AI/I
2 - NESA/AI L
DDI/NESA/AI/L
(12Sep83) STAT
-3-
UNCLASSIFIED
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/16: CIA-RDP85T00287R000800820001-5