The fraternization of the people with the army has always been a decisive factor in successful revolutions across history.
Besides sympathizing in their hearts and souls with the irrevocable legitimacy of the thawra, the army has felt disrespected for its treatment by the state.
Year after year, the corrupt regime has consistently reduced its military budget and deprived the army of resources needed to protect the borders. Many families of soldiers also feel disrespected with the way the regime dealt with militias that kidnapped and killed their loved ones.
The regime’s mismanagement and corruption is the direct cause of the misery of army soldiers, who now earn less then $100/month, and the broken dreams and hopes of soldiers’ families.
Since the start of the revolution, the army has balanced its respect for the constitutional rights of peaceful protestors, while trying to preserve law and order when necessary. Many clashes have been triggered by the infiltration of mendaseen.
There are army soldiers still loyal to their leaders, who have behaved in aggressive, misogynistic and arrogant ways, and who have assaulted and detained peaceful protesters in unjustified manners.
However, there is a much larger segment of the army which has constantly stood and will continue to stand by the side of the people.
Unilateral defections cannot happen without causing disunity in an army. A coup d’état is also not part of Lebanon’s customs and traditions.
Historically, the Lebanese army has always played a neutral and stabilizing role in the country, rather than an assertive player with its own economic and political agenda. However, as momentum of the thawra continues to grow, the army will begin to direct more of its energy towards applying pressure on the failed cartel, rather than trying to suppress their starving co-citizens.
We do not want military rule, but we want the army to protect our borders and our justice system, in order to preserve the republic. There is no key to replacing those who hold legislative and executive powers, without support of army leadership.
EL GESH WL CHA3B, ID WE7DE!