The growth of Sunni subgroup, extremist actors in Lebanon 2011-2014. (c2016)

Abstract

At the onset of the Syrian civil conflict in early 2011, the Republic of Lebanon Found itself again in a precarious position. Two actors have risen to importance, The Abdullah Azzam Brigades (AAB) and Sheikh Ahmed Assir and followers (SAAF), with multiple acts considered by some to be terrorism. Drawing on Terrorism research and adapting a methodological framework from within Conflict escalation theory, this thesis looks at what historical preconditions and Contemporary precipitants may have contributed to an advent of Sunni subgroup, extremist actor violence in Lebanon. Is it helpful or possible to categorize either of these actors as terrorist groups and the events that followed as terrorism? This thesis argues AAB could be considered a terrorist actor having co-opted terrorism as a tactic while SAAF should not be considered a terrorist actor having used tactics that cannot be conclusively categorized as terrorism. This thesis approximates some historical mid-term and more immediate Contextual factors that may have contributed to an enabling context for the Increase and escalation of tactics into violence and terrorism where applicable. In end, it provides the basis for a future research agenda. This would include an Adapted model of conflict escalation fit for terrorist mobilizations in pursuit of Further consensus on independent variables of terrorist outcomes.