A History of Division and Mistrust
Tensions and clashes between the Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the surrounding Sunni areas of Beb El Tebbeneh, Mallouleh, and others have long shaped the social and political landscape of Tripoli, Lebanon. Years of localized conflict and political marginalization have fostered deep mistrust not only between the aforementioned communities themselves, but also between them and state institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces which is the security institution with the most prerogatives in the area. In many of these neighborhoods, the army continues to be seen as enemies shaping a perception rooted in confrontation rather than protection.
Humanizing the Military Through Sustained Civilian Engagement
In response, MARCH has implemented a sustained civil-military cohesion strategy through organizing regular, sustainable and continous activities that bring together youth from these areas with members of the LAF to positively change perceptions from enemies to collaborators, humanize the LAF in the eyes of the youth and vice versa through personal story-telling, and build meaningful relationships grounded in shared experience.
A 2-Day Camp in Qamouaa: Sharing Army Life and Personal Stories
For the second year in a row, MARCH and the Lebanese Armed Forces organized a two-day residential camp in the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Quamouaa, Akkar, bringing together youth, including former fighters and foes and formerly incarcerated and/or arrested men, mostly those who also have a negative perception of the army, from the formerly conflicting neighborhoods (Beb El Tebbeneh, Jabal Mohsen, Al Mallouleh, Wadi Al-Nahleh, Qobbeh, Mankoubin and others) side by side with army personnel.
This civil-military cohesion activity aimed to create a space for the youth to step into the daily rhythm of army life not through observation, but through shared experience. Whether through the meals, informal discussions, or collaborative tasks, the goal is to cultivate familiarity, build interpersonal bonds, and establish a space where both sides can engage as equals and begin to understand each other beyond uniforms or reputations.
Fostering Empathy and Breaking Stereotypes Through Immersive Experience
Over two days, participants shared meals, stories, music, hikes, and laughter. From the moment of arrival, the atmosphere shifted expectations. Youth were welcomed, guided around space, and assigned to shared tents.
The camp was designed as a space for trust-building, open dialogue, and mutual understanding particularly in a context where many participants had previously viewed one another through a lens of fear, stigma, or enemies.
For many, this was their first time entering a military setting under positive, voluntary terms. Their participation reflected the trust they’ve developed with MARCH, and their willingness to take a step toward something unfamiliar. At the same time, most of the soldiers involved were new to these types of encounters, allowing both sides to meet without the weight of previous interactions.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Reconciliation and Institutional Trust
The impact of this activity extended far beyond the two days spent in the camp. For many youths, entering a military space as a guest, not a suspect, was unfamiliar and transformative. Sitting together with soldiers, exchanging jokes, walking, and eating with them allowed these young people to see the institution in a completely different light.
“I think this activity is great because it breaks the barrier between the youth and the army. It lets us see what a soldier’s life is really like and how they treat people up close. We used to see the army in certain places as an enemy, but when we saw their reality, we realized they are human beings just like us. We used to have one fixed opinion about them which was a negative opinion, but then our perception completely changed after interacting with them”. Man, B.N, Former Fighter, Ex Convict, Mankoubin
This shift was mutual. For the army personnel, the stories they heard around the fire, the daily realities, pain, and strength of these young men disrupted preconceptions. Soldiers came to understand the complexity of the lives lived in neighborhoods they may only have known by reputation. These young people were not statistics or threats, they were peers, often facing far more than anyone had assumed. The camp made that visible.
“For the second time in a row, we are organizing a joint camp with March in Al-Qammouaa as part of the civil-military cooperation activities. These kinds of initiatives are vital as it allowed the youth, coming from Beb El Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen to know the importance of the army’s role and its duties, and to create a bond between civilians and the military.” General of the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
These moments of shared humanity are where long-term reconciliation begins. After the camp, future encounters whether at a checkpoint or during a community project will be shaped by recognition, not suspicion. The soldiers will remember the stories they heard; the youth will remember the respect they received. This is not just a shift in feeling, it’s a shift in relationships.
One Activity Among an Entire Civil-Militray Cohesion Strategy
It is worth mentioning that the Annual Civil-Military Camp is not an isolated activity. It is part of MARCH’s long-term strategy for civil-military cooperation, trust-building, and reconciliation through direct engagement. Alongside initiatives like food parcel distribution and joint community development projects, the camp affirms a model of connection built on consistency, respect, and shared presence. In a country where institutions and communities are often divided by history, fear, or absence, it is these small, sustained efforts that begin to repair the distance.
