1984 Sohmor massacre
# 1984 Sohmor massacre

The 1984 Sohmor massacre, also known as the first Sohmor massacre, took place on 20 September 1984 when the South Lebanon Army, backed by the Israel Defence Forces, fired guns and killed 13 civilians in the Lebanese village of Sohmor.

## Background

Sohmor is a Shia Muslim village in Western Beqaa. The South Lebanon Army, led by Antoine Lahad consists mainly of Christian and Druze militiamen, that have been trained and armed by Israel.

## Attack

While the IDF encircled the village, the SLA gathered 300 men, aged 16 to 39 years, in the main square to investigate a recent ambush that killed 3 Druze militiamen. The shooting went on for 15 to 30 minutes, killed 13 and wounded 40.

## Aftermath

Lebanese Information Minister Joseph Skaf called the attack part of a "series of massacres perpetrated by Israel or encouraged by it and carried out under its direct coverage and with its full support". IDF officials blamed the massacre on the SLA. Reporters were denied entrance to the village.

