24 October Movement
Encyclopedia
The 24 October Movement (Harakat 24 Techrin) is a leftist progressist party known as the 24 October socialist progressist movement in Lebanon
, founded in the year of 1969 by Farouk el-Moukaddem.
The party main goals was to represent the oppressed citizens that were constantly sinking into poverty, unable to face the continuous growth of inflation.
On 19 December 1973, during a wide protest organized by the movement, gun clashes erupted between pro-governmental armed men and the student branch of the party known as “Al itihad el sawri” (Arabic:الاتحاد الثوري), where multiple injuries occurred. This incident prompted a major military retaliation led by Farouk el Moukaddem against all armed men responsible for the attack which forced the army to intervene and conduct a raid on the party headquarters located at Farouk Moukaddem street near Al tall street and arrest the prominent young leader with 18 of his companions.
The response was a full scale closure of the Northern city of Tripoli
in protest for the arrest which rapidly extended to become a major demonstration in the capital city of Lebanon
, Beirut
, to reach out the Southern city of Saida
and Bekaa demanding the immediate release of Farouk el Moukaddem. This led the country to the edge of a civil war, triggerring international pressure to release the "Che Guevara" of the Middle East as he was called by the French magazine Paris Match
. 48 hours after his arrest, Farouk el Moukaddem was released putting an end to the riots that had emerged transforming the young leader to a national heroic figure.
It had wide military activity in Tripoli, North Lebanon
during the Lebanese Civil War
, most notably during the 2 year war (1975–1977) when it opposed the Christian Marada Brigade and the town of Zgharta
.
Despite the sectarian conflict that reigned over the country, Farouk el-Moukaddem succeeded in preserving the respect of political, economic and social institutions in Tripoli.
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...
, founded in the year of 1969 by Farouk el-Moukaddem.
The party main goals was to represent the oppressed citizens that were constantly sinking into poverty, unable to face the continuous growth of inflation.
On 19 December 1973, during a wide protest organized by the movement, gun clashes erupted between pro-governmental armed men and the student branch of the party known as “Al itihad el sawri” (Arabic:الاتحاد الثوري), where multiple injuries occurred. This incident prompted a major military retaliation led by Farouk el Moukaddem against all armed men responsible for the attack which forced the army to intervene and conduct a raid on the party headquarters located at Farouk Moukaddem street near Al tall street and arrest the prominent young leader with 18 of his companions.
The response was a full scale closure of the Northern city of Tripoli
Tripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
in protest for the arrest which rapidly extended to become a major demonstration in the capital city of 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...
, 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...
, to reach out the Southern city of Saida
Sidon
Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...
and Bekaa demanding the immediate release of Farouk el Moukaddem. This led the country to the edge of a civil war, triggerring international pressure to release the "Che Guevara" of the Middle East as he was called by the French magazine Paris Match
Paris Match
Paris Match is a French weekly magazine. It covers major national and international news along with celebrity lifestyle features. It was founded in 1949 by the industrialist Jean Prouvost....
. 48 hours after his arrest, Farouk el Moukaddem was released putting an end to the riots that had emerged transforming the young leader to a national heroic figure.
It had wide military activity in Tripoli, North Lebanon
North Lebanon
North Lebanon may refer to:*North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania*North Governorate, Lebanon...
during the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The 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...
, most notably during the 2 year war (1975–1977) when it opposed the Christian Marada Brigade and the town of Zgharta
Zgharta
Zgharta, or Zghorta is a large town in North Lebanon, with an estimated population of around 70,000.Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein...
.
Despite the sectarian conflict that reigned over the country, Farouk el-Moukaddem succeeded in preserving the respect of political, economic and social institutions in Tripoli.