Lebanese politician Ibrahim Mrad commemorates Zahle’s victory over Syrian regime forces

BEIRUT — Ibrahim Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), marked the anniversary of the Battle of Zahle, honoring the fallen Christian resistance fighters who defended the Lebanese city against Syrian regime forces in 1981. The commemoration coincided with a tribute by the Christian Front, which paid respects to the victims during its regular meeting.

In a Facebook post, Mrad described 2 April as a day of victory for Zahle and Lebanon, recalling a time when the Christian resistance stood united in ideology and struggle. He referred to the battle as a triumph against what he called the “Assadist Daesh,” a reference to the Baathist regime of Hafez al-Assad and the Islamic State (ISIS).

Mrad detailed the events of 2 April 1981, describing it as a defining moment in Lebanon’s resistance history. He recalled how Syrian forces besieged Zahle, aiming to crush the city’s Christian population and break their resolve. However, a small yet determined group of Christian resistance fighters engaged in what he described as one of the most courageous and honorable battles in modern history, ultimately forcing Syrian forces into retreat.

He concluded his post with a tribute to Zahle’s fallen heroes, particularly the Syriac Christian fighters who stood at the frontlines to defend both the city and the broader Christian presence in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The Christian Front also issued a statement saluting the martyrs of Zahle, praising their courage and resilience in resisting what they described as state-sponsored terror by the Syrian regime. The group emphasized that the victory was a result of strong solidarity between the Christian resistance and Zahle’s residents.

The Battle of Zahle, fought during the Lebanese Civil War, was marked by intense political and military confrontations. The city, a stronghold of Christian resistance, faced repeated assaults but remained defiant. Lebanese Forces fighters, supported by local residents, battled against Syrian armed forces, which were backed by elements of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).