The Beirut Corniche -- Lebanon Civil War 1977

The Battle of the Hotels District or "Front des Hotels" in French, was a conflict in the 15-year Lebanon Civil War. This 1975–77 phase saw fierce fighting in downtown Beirut. This area was one of the first fronts of the war that began in April 1975. The battle was fought for the possession of a small hotel complex, the St. Charles City Center, adjacent to the gilded Corniche seafront area on the Mediterranean, in the north-western corner of the downtown district. It quickly spread to other areas of central Beirut. The battles that ensued were fought with heavy exchanges of rocket and artillery fire from the various hotel rooftops and rooms. Sniper fire was common.