Last modified: 2005-12-03 by santiago dotor
Keywords: saraia | saraya al moqawama el lebnaneya | lebanese resistance brigades |
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I assume the blue flag in this image and this image is the flag of a Lebanese guerrilla, but not one I know of. I can not determine what kind of guerrilla is it. I found these images referenced as "SARAIA". In my opinion, the use of the Lebanon national flag aside with this flag, and the biblical origin of the "Saraia" name is a clue that can drive us to any of the Christian Lebanese paramilitary organisations, even if I found these images looking around Hezbolla stuff.
Santiago Tazón, 3 December 2001
The Saraya, whose correct name is Saraya al Moqawama el Lebnaneya meaning The Lebanese Resistance Brigades is a subgroup of Hizbollah. Hizbollah only allows a select few into its ranks who have to meet certain criteria, among which that they have to belong to the Shi'ite sect of Islam. The reason being that Hizbollah's ideology has its roots in Shi'ite beliefs. During the 1990's decade, Hizbollah was gaining popularity within the Lebanese community due to its struggle with Israel to free the Lebanese occupied territories. Many non-shi'ite Lebanese approached Hizbollah wishing to enrol so that they could help in the fight against Israel. Hizbollah then established the Saraya as a group of non-shi'ite Lebanese —christians, druze, and Sunni muslims— who were trained by qualified Hizbollah personnel, and were also funded and directed by Hizbollah's main command. I am not sure of the year of establishment of these brigades but I would doubt [sic — "guess"?] it is about 1997-1998. Since the withdrawal of Israel from southern Lebanon (May 2000), I have not heard of the group. I really doubt that it still exists and most probably it does not.
Firas Kazem, 26 November 2005
