October 23, 1983 remains a dark date in the history of the French army and of Lebanon. That day, the Drakkar, an eight-story building housing a cantonment of the Multinational Security Force in Beirut, was struck by an attack. The toll is heavy: 58 French paratroopers lost their lives, making this day the deadliest for the French army since the end of the Indochina War.
The Multinational Security Force, created in 1982 by the UN, had the mission of protecting the Lebanese civilian population and helping the Lebanese government restore its authority. French, American and Italian troops made up the bulk of the troops, with 2,000 French soldiers present on site. Among them, young people called volunteers, who arrived in May 1983.
This double attack, which also targeted the headquarters of the American army in Beirut, was attributed to Lebanese Hezbollah by the United States, with Iran as sponsor. However, almost 40 years after the fact, questions persist about the nature of the explosion that destroyed the Drakkar. Some survivors and witnesses claim to have seen no vehicle enter the French cantonment compound, calling into question the official thesis.
In France, this attack caused a shock wave and led President François Mitterrand to go to Beirut to pay tribute to the victims and express his solidarity with the French troops. A commemoration ceremony also took place at Les Invalides, bringing together the coffins of French soldiers killed during the attack.
This Drakkar tragedy is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by French soldiers during international peacekeeping missions. It also highlights the complexity and dangerousness of ongoing conflicts around the world.
It is important to remember these tragic events to pay tribute to the victims and continue working for peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.