A Lebanese Christian village extends a warm welcome to Shia neighbours under attack
Deir al-Ahmar has tripled in size since Israel began bombarding neighbouring Baalbek, with residents refusing to let politics or religion get in the way
26 November 2024
Deir al-Ahmar, Lebanon – Tucked away in the foothills of Mount Lebanon, the quaint Bekaa Valley village of Deir al-Ahmar has become a sanctuary for thousands of people fleeing intense Israeli bombardments nearby.
In just over two months, it has swelled to more than three times its size, as homes, churches, and schools have opened their doors to around 12,000 displaced Lebanese.
The entire surrounding municipality, comprising 13 Christian villages, is hosting up to 22,000 people, twice the number of its usual inhabitants.
Most are Shia, the community that Hezbollah draws the majority of its support from and that has been bearing the brunt of Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
A large majority of Deir al-Ahmar’s residents support the Lebanese Forces, a right-wing Christian political party and Hezbollah opponent that was originally an armed group that fought in Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war.
But despite these opposing political views, Deir al-Ahmar residents have welcomed their Shia neighbours.
“Treating your neighbours well is a pillar of Deir al-Ahmar,” the village’s mayor, Jean Fakhry, told Middle East Eye. “It wasn’t an obstacle for us to be humane towards each other.”