Resurging Internal Violence: May 2008

Tension has grown during the past few years in the wake of Hariri’s assassination, the Syrian withdrawal, and the string of assassinations and car bombs from 2005 onward. It climaxed in May 2008, after months of political paralysis. The government’s decision to remove a senior security officer known to be close to Hezbollah and to investigate Hezbollah’s parallel telephone system sparked full-blown clashes between government supporters and the opposition, led by Hezbollah, on May 7, 2008.
In the subsequent two weeks, at least 71 people, including 14 civilians, died in the clashes. Fighters armed with machine guns and RPGs were first in Beirut and then extended to Aley, the Shuf, the Beqaa, and North Lebanon over the next three months; 40 were killed, including civilians. Both sides attacked civilians and civilian property. Between May 7 and 9, 2008, the opposition—namely Hezbollah, Amal, and the SSNP—took over West Beirut.

During their takeover of the capital, Hezbollah, Amal, and SSNP members attacked and shut down media offices affiliated with the Future Movement.

The government revoked its two decisions that had sparked the clashes. On May 21, 2008, the warring parties reached a political settlement in Doha, Qatar, which paved the way for the election of a president, and the opposition granted veto power in the government. One year later, only one indictment had been issued, and no other action was taken to hold those responsible for the killings accountable.