Lebanon
The political and military situation in Lebanon is becoming more and more volatile, notably aggravated by the Beirut port explosion in 2020. The country does not suffer from significant levels of arms and ammunition trafficking[1], but it remains heavily contaminated with landmines and other types of unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.[2]
The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the Small Arms Survey are on the ground to help with the through-life management of ammunition by working with the Lebanese Ministry of Defence. Efforts have included the construction and upgrade of ammunition storehouses, mine clearance, Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) trainings with national forces, technical assessments on prior interventions, and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) efforts.[3]
[1] “Guns in Lebanon.” Gun Law and Policy: Firearms and armed violence, country by country. Accessed June 24, 2022. https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/lebanon.
“Lebanon: Impact.” Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor, 2021. www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2020/lebanon/impact.aspx.
[3] See A-MAP Database.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, numerous accidental explosions were reported in Lebanon (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in Lebanon (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2021 | Bourj el-Chemali | Non-state (actor) | N/A | N/A |
2020 | Beirut | N/A | 190+ | 6000+ |
2020 | Ain Qana | Non-state (actor) | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Tripoli | Non-state (actor) | N/A | 3 |
2012 | Baalbek | Non-state (actor) | 3 | 4 |
2012 | Tair Harfa | Non-state (actor) | 3 | N/A |
2011 | Siddiqine | Non-state (actor) | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Al Tayri | foreign (peacekeeping) | 0 | 11 |
2010 | Shehabiyya | Non-state (actor) | N/A | N/A |
2009 | Khirbet Selm | Non-state (actor) | N/A | N/A |
2009 | Tayr Filsi | Non-state (actor) | 5 | N/A |
2005 | Majadel | Non-state (actor) | 0 | 0 |
2005 | Majadel | Non-state (actor) | 0 | 0 |
Source: Small Arms Survey. n.d. Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS). Database; AMAT. “AMAT Insights: Reducing Risks Associated with Ammonium Nitrate.” Published in September 2020.
Cases of diversion
Some cases of diversion have been reported since 2000 in Lebanon (Table 2).
Table 2: Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition, and explosives in Lebanon since 2000
Year | Location | Description |
2012 | Beirut | More than 90 machine guns were stolen from the Army depot, in addition to large quantities of ammunition. |
Source: “Lebanese Army Weapons Stolen.” SP's MAI - Military, Aerospace and Internal Security, November 16, 2012. https://www.spsmai.com/internal-security/?id=1815&q=Lebanese-Army-weapons-stolen.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Lebanon.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Lebanon.[1]
[1] PoA Report 2008, Lebanon. Please note that PoA reports focus on SALW and not specifically on ammunition. https://unoda-poa.s3.amazonaws.com/poa-reports-le/2008%40109%40Lebanon.pdf
