Israeli-Backed Militia in Southern Lebanon Reportedly Plagued by Desertions

Muslim guerrillas kept up their attacks on Israeli forces Friday, and security sources claimed that about half the members of an Israeli-backed militia in southern Lebanon have deserted. Israel, however, denied the claim.

The sources said about 1,000 members of the South Lebanon Army had left, many by deserting, but in Tel Aviv the Israeli commander in southern Lebanon, Gen. Ori Orr, told the newspaper Yediot Aharonot on Friday that only 25 militiamen had left the force.

Israel has supported the South Lebanon Army under former Lebanese Maj. Gen. Antoine Lahad, and planned to give it a big role in preventing cross-border guerrilla attacks after Israeli troops leave Lebanon.

Monday Deadline

Israel is to complete the first phase of its three-phase pullback from its Awwali River defense line in southern Lebanon by Monday.

Orr told the newspaper the second stage of the withdrawal will start at the end of April, with the final pullback completed by September.

“In September, it will be possible to finish the third phase of the pullback, if there are no delays which do not depend on the army,” Orr said.

Orr predicted a resumption of terrorist attacks across the border into Israel after an initial period of quiet during which rival Lebanese factions will establish a balance of power in southern Lebanon.

Swift Retaliation

Orr said that Israel’s post-withdrawal defense policy would be aggressive, relying on swift retaliation for attacks against Israeli settlements.

“Israeli troops probably will return to parts of Lebanon. It could be that they will return and then go. It could be that they will return for months,” he was quoted as saying.

On Friday, Israeli motorized units continued to patrol the Sidon region, which they are to evacuate by Monday, but guerrillas kept up the attacks they have mounted since the withdrawal decision.

A military source in Tel Aviv reported four overnight attacks throughout the south but no casualties. He said two Israeli positions were fired on and a roadside bomb exploded near a patrol. A roadblock manned by South Lebanon Army units was also fired on. Israel has lost more than 600 soldiers since in June, 1982, invasion of Lebanon.

New Guerrilla Raids

The Israelis and the South Lebanon Army have come under increased guerrilla attack since January and dozens of suspected collaborators have also been assassinated.

According to Israeli and Lebanese estimates, there have been about 250 attacks in six weeks and anti-Israel Muslim militias say groups of militiamen from the Israeli-backed group have started to surrender.

In Beirut on Friday, a group of Shia Muslim clergymen published a statement in newspapers calling for a holy war against Israeli troops until they complete their pullout.

“We must have an Islamic Jihad (Islamic Holy War) because Islamic Jihad is the sole way for liberation and victory,” the statement said.