8th Infantry Brigade (Lebanon)
| 8th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1982 – present |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Allegiance |
 Lebanon |
| Branch | Ground Forces |
| Type | Light Mechanized Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| General | Abdul Karim Hachem |
| General | Michel Aoun |
The 8th Infantry Brigade (Lebanon) is a Lebanese Army unit that fought in the Lebanese Civil War, being active since its creation in September 1982.
In the aftermath of the June–September 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, President Amin Gemayel, convinced that a strong and unified national defense force was a prerequisite to rebuilding the nation, announced plans to raise a 60,000-man army organized into twelve brigades (created from existing infantry regiments), trained and equipped by France and the United States. In late 1982, the 8th Infantry Regiment was therefore re-organized and expanded to a brigade group numbering 2,000 men, of whom 80% were Maronite Christians from the northern Akkar region, with the remaining 20% were Sunni Muslims.
The new unit grew from an understrength battalion comprising three rifle companies to a fully equipped mechanized infantry brigade, capable of aligning an armoured battalion equipped with Panhard AML-90 armoured cars, AMX-13 light tanks and 34 US M48A5 main battle tanks (MBTs), three mechanized infantry battalions issued with 90 US M113 armored personnel carriers (APC) and an artillery battalion fielding eighteen US M114 155 mm howitzers, including a battery of twelve French Hotchkiss-Brandt TDA MO-120-RT-61 120mm towed heavy mortars. The brigade also fielded a logistics support battalion, equipped with liaison and transport vehicles such as US M151 1/4-Ton jeeps, Chevrolet C20 and Dodge Ram (1st generation) pickups, plus US M35A2 2½-ton (6x6) military trucks.
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