Humans are remarkable creatures. Conflict and disagreement can be the only thing they see and eventually, with time, all is forgotten. It is something similar that can be noticed in Beirut, the capital, chief port, and largest city of Lebanon, a country in the Middle East. During the Lebanese Civil War that broke out in 1975 to 1990 there existed a line of demarcation that separated East and West Beirut. This war had approximately 250,000 casualties. There was large political and social unrest prior to 1975, globally also the concept of militarization was gaining popularity. Additionally, the influx of Palestinian refugees following the creation of Israel in 1948 altered the political landscape of Lebanon. Although the cause for the Civil War to break out is larger than those mentioned above, they definitely contributed to it.
Green Line
As the war broke out among the two predominantly large sects in Beirut there had to come about a boundary that protected them from each other. This boundary was popularly referred to as the Green Line. It was the no man’s land that existed along Damascus Street and witnessed conflict daily. The Green Line separated mainly the Muslim factions in West Beirut from the Christian factions in East Beirut. At the beginning of the Civil War, the division was not absolute as some Muslims lived East of the Green Line and some Christians to the west of it; but, as the Civil War continued, each sector became more homogeneous as minorities left the sector they were in. This line was not a formal one with clear demarcations. There just existed multiple checkpoints along it that people had to use to cross. Although the line did not have security like barbed wire or fences, snipers existed on most tall buildings within the city that policed the neighbourhood. Living along the Green Line was troublesome. It saw political unrest almost daily and the buildings around the line were proof of the same. They were falling apart and yet due to the poor socioeconomic conditions of the larger public during this period they used to be inhabited.
Life in Beirut
Patrick Baz, a Lebanese photographer who was just twelve years old when the war began, saw the Green Line not as a barrier but as his everyday environment. He remarked, “I don’t think I felt like I was safe or unsafe, for me it was life. That’s how I grew up.” In a city where conflict had become routine, Beirutis adapted to a new normalcy shaped by the constant threat of violence.
By the time he turned seventeen, Baz had begun documenting the lives of people residing along the Green Line. These individuals inhabited crumbling buildings and improvised defences against sniper fire using whatever materials they could find, such as bags of mud or sheets, to block their windows. Baz’s photographs captured not only the physical destruction but also the resilience and resourcefulness of those enduring life amid conflict.
The Green Line profoundly shaped the political and social dynamics of Beirut. Neighbourhoods were instantly identifiable by the flags and banners displayed, marking them as belonging to either side of the divide. The pervasive fear of encountering individuals from the opposing side led to strict limitations on movement. Parents, fearing the constant bombings, restricted their children from visiting popular attractions. Rana, a student at a French-language Jesuit university, offered a unique perspective on life in Beirut. She and her friends felt safer in neighbourhoods recently targeted by bombings, reasoning that such areas were less likely to be bombed again soon. This illustrates the profound psychological impact of living under the constant threat of violence, where perceptions of safety were deeply influenced by the patterns of conflict. Beyond everyday life, the war also deeply affected livelihoods. Taxi drivers in Beirut adhered to unwritten rules that dictated their operational boundaries. Christian drivers typically confined their services to the East, while Muslim drivers operated in the West. Crossing the demarcation line incurred additional charges, reflecting both practical considerations and societal divisions reinforced by the war. Thus, the Green Line was more than a physical barrier; it was a potent symbol of division and fear that profoundly shaped public space, social interactions, and economic activities in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War.
In conclusion, while the physical remnants of the Beirut Green Line have largely vanished, its impact on the city’s history and collective memory remains profound. Once a stark symbol of division during the Lebanese Civil War, the Green Line separated communities along sectarian lines, leaving deep social wounds and destruction in its wake. Today, Beirut has transformed with bustling neighbourhoods and renewed vitality, yet the lessons of resilience and the consequences of division should not be forgotten. As newer generations grow up removed from the direct experience of conflict, there’s a risk that the hardships endured along the Green Line may fade from memory. Preserving this history is vital, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and reconciliation. By honouring the stories of those affected, Beirut can continue to build a future rooted in peace and shared prosperity. The Green Line’s disappearance underscores the need to safeguard its legacy as a testament to the resilience of Beirut’s inhabitants and their enduring quest for healing.
References:
Monroe, K. (2016) THE INSECURE CITY: Space, Power, and Mobility in Beirut, Rutgers University Press pp. 56-78
Mirna Abiad-Boyadjian (2016). Surviving beyond the Green Line. [online]. Available at: www.esse.ca/en/survivre-par-dela-la-ligne-verte/ [Accessed date: 30 June 2024].
Alex A (2020). Green Line in Beirut-The green foliage that marked the no man’s land during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). [online]. Available at: www.esse.ca/en/survivre-par-dela-la-ligne-verte/ [Accessed date: 30 June 2024]
