Wars in Tripoli

In Tripoli during 1983, the fighting raged between the Syrian Army, its Palestinian (Fatah al-Intifada and DFLP-GC) and Lebanese allies (ADF, SSNP, and the LCP) on one hand, and the PLO and its Lebanese allies (including the Islamic Tawhid Party, the Popular Resistance group and the pro-Iraqi Baath) on the other.

Rocket shells and artillery fire was used in densely populated areas, mainly in the Jabal Mohsen-Bab al-Tabbaneh front line and Qobbeh, incurring many casualties. On September 16, 1983, Yasser Arafat returned to Tripoli, assuming command of PLO fighters based in the city.

A physician working with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that in November alone, 1,500 casualties were brought to the PRCS hospital, which was the closest to the front lines.

From the beginning of this war, estimated sources of deaths range between 383 and 969 Lebanese and Palestinians, and between 1,572 and 2,047 wounded.

On December 19, 1983, following two months of particularly heavy bombardments, the PLO capitulated. Arafat and 4,000 supporters evacuated the country by sea, heading to Tunis on the next day. They left their ammunition to their allies, mainly the Tawhid. Again, dozens of communists and leftists were killed in the aftermath.