Tyous Team of Commandos
Encyclopedia
The Tyous Team of Commandos – TTC or simply Tyous for short (‘Tyous’ means 'Male Goat' in Arabic, also translated as the “Stubborn Ones”; “Les Têtus”, “Les Obstinés” in French
), was a small far-right Christian militia which fought in the 1975-78 phase of the Lebanese Civil War.
by one Al-Anid, a Christian Maronite far-right activist who strongly opposed the Cairo Agreement
and the presence of Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO) guerrilla factions in Lebanon
.
Prior to 1975 Al-Anid cultivated close relations with other Christian rightist parties and organizations, which enabled his group to receive funds and military training, namely from the Kataeb Party
and the secretive Al-Tanzim
.
The original members of the TTC were predominantly Maronites but soon began to accept volunteers from the Assyrian
Christian community of Iraq
i origin, who had migrated illegally to Lebanon in the 1960s to escape persecution and poverty in their home country. The Assyrians were drawn – and sworn allegiance – to the militias of the Christian-rightist camp by promises of integration and attaining full Lebanese citizenship.
The name ‘Tyous’ was reportedly given to the group by Bashir Gemayel, the commander of the KRF and future supremo of the Lebanese Forces
(LF).
group roughly equivalent to an understrength infantry company, initially provided with small-arms purchased on the black market.
Additional weapons and equipment (including all-terrain vehicles) were acquired after January 1976 from Lebanese Army stocks and Internal Security Forces
(ISF) Police stations, which allowed the group to raise a motor force of some gun-trucks equipped with heavy machine guns (HMGs), recoilless rifles and a few anti-aircraft autocannons. They also received covert military assistance from Israel
via the Phalange
and later the Lebanese Forces
.
In the late 1970s the Tyous HQ was located at Ashrafieh, in the ‘Museum Crossing’ area and respective Green Line
sector which they usually manned. Personnally commanded by Al-Anid, the Tyous was technically anwserable to the Phalange
KRF War Council, but reported directly to Bashir Gemayel instead.
After Bachir Gemayel
's assassination in September 1982 however, the TTC was re-organized with Al-Anid never being replaced. However, the Tyous' HQ was placed under the direct orders of Elie Hobeika
, and remained so until himself was ousted from the LF command by Samir Geagea
in January 1985.
; when asked to stop, they would not answer to their orders (Hence the "Tyous" or Stubborn ones")
Although residents around the HQ of the Tyous claim to have attended Church Masses in the court behind the building every Sunday morning. Whatever their reputation, residents of Achrafieh
still thank the Tyous for protecting the Christian sector in Beirut
.
Moreover, their combat reputation was tainted by their direct involvement in atrocities against other Christians. This fact was attested in July – August 1976, when the Phalangists, the Army of Free Lebanon
and other Lebanese Front
militias overrun after a long siege the Muslim-populated slum districts and adjacent Palestinian refugee camps located at East Beirut – Karantina
, al-Maklash and Tel al-Zaatar
– the Tyous joined in the respective massacres and expulsion of the remaining Palestinian refugees and Muslims.
In June 1978 a combined force of some 10 Tyous’ fighters and about 200 Phalangists led by Samir Geagea
and Elie Hobeika
perpetrated the vicious Ehden massacre; although the orders were to kidnap the head of the Marada Brigade
, Tony Frangieh
, to convince the Marada Brigade to join the Lebanese Forces, he and his entire family were slaugthered at their summer residence and ever since Marada Birgade and Lebanese Forces became enemies.
Later in July 1980, the Tyous helped once again Bashir and his Phalange-dominated LF in destroying the NLP Tigers Militia
in the equally infamous Safra massacre, which caused 500 casualties, mostly civilians. Camille Chamoun
then disarmed the Tigers and called for truce because Tigers Militia and Lebanese Forces
are "brothers".
since early 1976, the Tyous were committed to the defense of the Christian-held urban and sub-urban eastern districts of the Lebanese Capital from the leftist Lebanese National Movement
(LNM) militias.
Engaged for the most part in static operations at Beirut’s Green Line
, the Tyous bore the brunt of the LNM-PLO alliance ‘Spring offensive’ held at March that year. Attached to Dany Chamoun
’s Tigers militia
, they successfully rebuffed enemy attempts to penetrate their positions along the Achrafieh
sector.
Later in February 1978 Tyous and the Tigers under the command of Bashir Gemayel drove out the Syrian Army
from East Beirut during the seige that lasted for a hundred days in a war called the “Hundred Days War
”. Al-Anid was announced dead at this war, however it was a sniper bullet that cut his ear in half. It was his right hand man who was killed on the last day of the war.
’ Command in 1977, the TTC was easily integrated into the ranks of the new LF militia and attained ‘elite’ status, displacing the old BG Company (Bachir Gemayel Company) of the KRF. Eventually, upon joining the Kataeb Party
Al-Anid rose to the post of Commander in the 1st unit of the 'Special Forces' of the Lebanese Forces War Council. He hand picked the fighters to join his unit. , and continued to lead the Tyous in some battles. He ordered seniors to use the Tyous' combat powers achieve their own objectives.
The TTC was also deeply involved in the highly controversial ‘unification of the Christian rifle’ operations launched in the late 1970s by Bashir Gemayel, who used the Tyous as an instrument to eliminate its rival Christian militias and leaders to absorb their forces into the LF, thus consolidating them into a powerbase for himself.
In October 1982, just weeks after Bashir Gemayel's death, Al-Anid signed his resignation letter and relieved himself of the command of the Special Forces team in the War Council making it possible for other seniors in the LF to take over command. The next time he was engaged in battle after leaving the LF was when Syrian, Amal Movement
and Hobeika's LFEC troops were attacking the defenseless Achrafieh
in 1986. With the help of Achrafieh
residents and fighters and the Lebanese Army the attack against Achrafieh failed.
, playing a role in the formation of its dissident Lebanese Forces – Executive Command (LFEC) militia the following year.Other Tyous members were later seen with Michel Aoun
in 2005.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
), was a small far-right Christian militia which fought in the 1975-78 phase of the Lebanese Civil War.
Origins
The Tyous (Pronounced Tyoos) was quietly formed at the early 1970s in BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
by one Al-Anid, a Christian Maronite far-right activist who strongly opposed the Cairo Agreement
Cairo agreement
The Cairo agreement or Cairo accord was an agreement reached on 2 November 1969 during talks between Yassir Arafat and the Lebanese army commander General Emile Bustani...
and the presence of Palestine Liberation Organization
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
(PLO) guerrilla factions in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
Prior to 1975 Al-Anid cultivated close relations with other Christian rightist parties and organizations, which enabled his group to receive funds and military training, namely from the Kataeb Party
Kataeb Party
The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War...
and the secretive Al-Tanzim
Al-Tanzim
The Al-Tanzim, Al-Tanzym or At-Tanzim was the name of an ultra-nationalist secret military society and militia set up by right-wing Christian activists in Lebanon at the early 1970s, and which came to play an important role in the Lebanese Civil War.-Emblem:The emblem of the group, a map of Lebanon...
.
The original members of the TTC were predominantly Maronites but soon began to accept volunteers from the Assyrian
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
Christian community of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i origin, who had migrated illegally to Lebanon in the 1960s to escape persecution and poverty in their home country. The Assyrians were drawn – and sworn allegiance – to the militias of the Christian-rightist camp by promises of integration and attaining full Lebanese citizenship.
The name ‘Tyous’ was reportedly given to the group by Bashir Gemayel, the commander of the KRF and future supremo of the Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
(LF).
Structure and Organization
The Tyous was organized into a 100 men-strong light infantryLight infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
group roughly equivalent to an understrength infantry company, initially provided with small-arms purchased on the black market.
Additional weapons and equipment (including all-terrain vehicles) were acquired after January 1976 from Lebanese Army stocks and Internal Security Forces
Internal Security Forces
The Internal Security Forces – ISF or Forces de Sécurité Intérieure in French, are the national police and security force of Lebanon. Modern police were established in Lebanon in 1861, with creation of the Gendarmerie...
(ISF) Police stations, which allowed the group to raise a motor force of some gun-trucks equipped with heavy machine guns (HMGs), recoilless rifles and a few anti-aircraft autocannons. They also received covert military assistance from Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
via the Phalange
Kataeb Party
The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War...
and later the Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
.
In the late 1970s the Tyous HQ was located at Ashrafieh, in the ‘Museum Crossing’ area and respective Green Line
Green Line (Lebanon)
The Green Line was a line of demarcation in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990. It separated the mainly Muslim factions in West Beirut from the Christian Lebanese Front in East Beirut. The appellation refers to the coloration of the foliage that grew because the space...
sector which they usually manned. Personnally commanded by Al-Anid, the Tyous was technically anwserable to the Phalange
Kataeb Party
The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War...
KRF War Council, but reported directly to Bashir Gemayel instead.
After Bachir Gemayel
Bachir Gemayel
Bachir Gemayel was a Lebanese politician, militia commander, and president-elect...
's assassination in September 1982 however, the TTC was re-organized with Al-Anid never being replaced. However, the Tyous' HQ was placed under the direct orders of Elie Hobeika
Elie Hobeika
Elie Hobeika was a Lebanese Phalangist and Lebanese Forces militia commander during the Lebanese Civil War, and former MP...
, and remained so until himself was ousted from the LF command by Samir Geagea
Samir Geagea
Samir Farid Geagea , born October 25, 1952, is a Lebanese politician. He is also a senior figure in the March 14 Alliance, alongside Saad Hariri and Amine Gemayel....
in January 1985.
War Activities and Controversies
Ferocious fighters, the TTC were however a gang of drug addicts’ notourious for their lack of discipline and restraint, who all too often brutally murdered any hapless non-Christian civilian that came into their hands. They crossed the green line at least once a week completing missions and causing trouble with the Leftists without direct orders from Bachir GemayelBachir Gemayel
Bachir Gemayel was a Lebanese politician, militia commander, and president-elect...
; when asked to stop, they would not answer to their orders (Hence the "Tyous" or Stubborn ones")
Although residents around the HQ of the Tyous claim to have attended Church Masses in the court behind the building every Sunday morning. Whatever their reputation, residents of Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
still thank the Tyous for protecting the Christian sector in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
Moreover, their combat reputation was tainted by their direct involvement in atrocities against other Christians. This fact was attested in July – August 1976, when the Phalangists, the Army of Free Lebanon
Army of Free Lebanon
The Army of Free Lebanon – AFL or ‘Colonel Barakat’s Army’ , also designated Armée du Liban Libre or ‘Armée du Colonel Barakat’ in French, was a predominantely Christian splinter faction of the Lebanese Army that came to play a major role in the 1975-77 phase of the Lebanese Civil War.-Emblem:Upon...
and other Lebanese Front
Lebanese Front
The Lebanese Front or Front libanais in French, also known as the "Kufur Front", was a coalition of mainly Christian parties formed in 1976, during the Lebanese Civil War...
militias overrun after a long siege the Muslim-populated slum districts and adjacent Palestinian refugee camps located at East Beirut – Karantina
Karantina Massacre
The Karantina massacre took place early in the Lebanese Civil War on January 18, 1976. With the breakdown in authority of the Lebanese government the militancy of radical factions increased...
, al-Maklash and Tel al-Zaatar
Tel al-Zaatar Massacre
The Tel al-Zaatar massacre took place during the Lebanese Civil War on August 12, 1976. Tel al-Zaatar was a UNRWA administered Palestinian Refugee camp housing approximately 50,000-60,000 refugees in northeast Beirut.-Background:...
– the Tyous joined in the respective massacres and expulsion of the remaining Palestinian refugees and Muslims.
In June 1978 a combined force of some 10 Tyous’ fighters and about 200 Phalangists led by Samir Geagea
Samir Geagea
Samir Farid Geagea , born October 25, 1952, is a Lebanese politician. He is also a senior figure in the March 14 Alliance, alongside Saad Hariri and Amine Gemayel....
and Elie Hobeika
Elie Hobeika
Elie Hobeika was a Lebanese Phalangist and Lebanese Forces militia commander during the Lebanese Civil War, and former MP...
perpetrated the vicious Ehden massacre; although the orders were to kidnap the head of the Marada Brigade
Marada Brigade
The Marada Movement is a Lebanese political party and a former militia active during the Lebanese civil war, named after the legendary Syriac Marada or Mardaites warriors of the early Middle Ages...
, Tony Frangieh
Tony Frangieh
Antoine Frangieh was a Lebanese politician and militia leader during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War.- Education and early political career :...
, to convince the Marada Brigade to join the Lebanese Forces, he and his entire family were slaugthered at their summer residence and ever since Marada Birgade and Lebanese Forces became enemies.
Later in July 1980, the Tyous helped once again Bashir and his Phalange-dominated LF in destroying the NLP Tigers Militia
Tigers Militia (Lebanon)
The Tigers Militia , also known as NLP Tigers or Tigers of the Liberals and PNL "Lionceaux" in French, was the military wing of the National Liberal Party during the Lebanese Civil War.- Origins :The NLP militia was first raised in October 1968 by Camille Chamoun at his own home town...
in the equally infamous Safra massacre, which caused 500 casualties, mostly civilians. Camille Chamoun
Camille Chamoun
Camille Nimr Chamoun was President of Lebanon from 1952 to 1958, and one of the country's main Christian leaders during most of the Lebanese Civil War ....
then disarmed the Tigers and called for truce because Tigers Militia and Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
are "brothers".
The Tyous In the Civil War 1975-78
As members of the Lebanese FrontLebanese Front
The Lebanese Front or Front libanais in French, also known as the "Kufur Front", was a coalition of mainly Christian parties formed in 1976, during the Lebanese Civil War...
since early 1976, the Tyous were committed to the defense of the Christian-held urban and sub-urban eastern districts of the Lebanese Capital from the leftist Lebanese National Movement
Lebanese National Movement
The Lebanese National Movement or Mouvement National Libanais in French, was a front of parties and organizations active during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War...
(LNM) militias.
Engaged for the most part in static operations at Beirut’s Green Line
Green Line (Lebanon)
The Green Line was a line of demarcation in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990. It separated the mainly Muslim factions in West Beirut from the Christian Lebanese Front in East Beirut. The appellation refers to the coloration of the foliage that grew because the space...
, the Tyous bore the brunt of the LNM-PLO alliance ‘Spring offensive’ held at March that year. Attached to Dany Chamoun
Dany Chamoun
Dany Chamoun was a prominent Lebanese politician. A Maronite Christian and the younger son of former President Camille Chamoun, Dany Chamoun was also a politician in his own right, and was known for his opposition to the occupation of Lebanese territory by foreign forces, whether Syrian or...
’s Tigers militia
Tigers Militia (Lebanon)
The Tigers Militia , also known as NLP Tigers or Tigers of the Liberals and PNL "Lionceaux" in French, was the military wing of the National Liberal Party during the Lebanese Civil War.- Origins :The NLP militia was first raised in October 1968 by Camille Chamoun at his own home town...
, they successfully rebuffed enemy attempts to penetrate their positions along the Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
sector.
Later in February 1978 Tyous and the Tigers under the command of Bashir Gemayel drove out the Syrian Army
Syrian Army
The Syrian Army, officially called the Syrian Arab Army, is the land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. It is the dominant military service of the four uniformed services, controlling the senior most posts in the armed forces, and has the greatest manpower, approximately 80 percent of the...
from East Beirut during the seige that lasted for a hundred days in a war called the “Hundred Days War
Hundred Days War
The Hundred Days War , also known as La Guerre des Cent Jours in French was a subconflict within the 1977–82 phase of the Lebanese Civil War which occurred at the Lebanese Capital Beirut...
”. Al-Anid was announced dead at this war, however it was a sniper bullet that cut his ear in half. It was his right hand man who was killed on the last day of the war.
The Lebanese Forces' era 1979-1985
Upon the creation of the Lebanese ForcesLebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
’ Command in 1977, the TTC was easily integrated into the ranks of the new LF militia and attained ‘elite’ status, displacing the old BG Company (Bachir Gemayel Company) of the KRF. Eventually, upon joining the Kataeb Party
Kataeb Party
The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War...
Al-Anid rose to the post of Commander in the 1st unit of the 'Special Forces' of the Lebanese Forces War Council. He hand picked the fighters to join his unit. , and continued to lead the Tyous in some battles. He ordered seniors to use the Tyous' combat powers achieve their own objectives.
The TTC was also deeply involved in the highly controversial ‘unification of the Christian rifle’ operations launched in the late 1970s by Bashir Gemayel, who used the Tyous as an instrument to eliminate its rival Christian militias and leaders to absorb their forces into the LF, thus consolidating them into a powerbase for himself.
In October 1982, just weeks after Bashir Gemayel's death, Al-Anid signed his resignation letter and relieved himself of the command of the Special Forces team in the War Council making it possible for other seniors in the LF to take over command. The next time he was engaged in battle after leaving the LF was when Syrian, Amal Movement
Amal Movement
Amal Movement is short for the Lebanese Resistance Detachments the acronym for which, in Arabic, is "amal", meaning "hope."Amal was founded in 1975 as the militia wing of the Movement of the Disinherited, a Shi'a political movement founded by Musa...
and Hobeika's LFEC troops were attacking the defenseless Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
in 1986. With the help of Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
residents and fighters and the Lebanese Army the attack against Achrafieh failed.
Decline and disbandement 1985-86
After Hobeika's downfall in 1985 however, the Tyous' fortunes waned – the unit was disbanded and little trace remained of them since they had no leader. With exception of their old HQ in Museum area facing the museum which still stands until today. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that former Tyous' members might have joined Hobeika at ZahléZahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
, playing a role in the formation of its dissident Lebanese Forces – Executive Command (LFEC) militia the following year.Other Tyous members were later seen with Michel Aoun
Michel Aoun
Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian...
in 2005.
See also
- Al-TanzimAl-TanzimThe Al-Tanzim, Al-Tanzym or At-Tanzim was the name of an ultra-nationalist secret military society and militia set up by right-wing Christian activists in Lebanon at the early 1970s, and which came to play an important role in the Lebanese Civil War.-Emblem:The emblem of the group, a map of Lebanon...
- Lebanese civil warLebanese Civil WarThe Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
- Lebanese FrontLebanese FrontThe Lebanese Front or Front libanais in French, also known as the "Kufur Front", was a coalition of mainly Christian parties formed in 1976, during the Lebanese Civil War...
- Lebanese ForcesLebanese ForcesThe Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
- Lebanese Forces – Executive Command
- Tigers Militia (Lebanon)Tigers Militia (Lebanon)The Tigers Militia , also known as NLP Tigers or Tigers of the Liberals and PNL "Lionceaux" in French, was the military wing of the National Liberal Party during the Lebanese Civil War.- Origins :The NLP militia was first raised in October 1968 by Camille Chamoun at his own home town...
- Kataeb Regulatory ForcesKataeb Regulatory ForcesThe Kataeb Regulatory Forces – KRF or RF , Forces Regulatoires du Kataeb in French were the military wing of the right-wing Lebanese Christian Kataeb Party, otherwise known as the Phalange, from 1961 to 1977...
External links
- http://www.lfpics.com/leaders/bachirgemayel/nsBach_14.jpg.html <- picture of al anid