Lebanon and the Crusades

I have to say that the news reports from Lebanon have been sparking my interest more for what happened there 1000 years ago more than what is happening now.

Commandos captured an undetermined number of Hezbollah members when they attacked a base overnight in Baalbek, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) inside Lebanon, said an army spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Hezbollah's al-Manar TV denied any of the group's fighters were captured and said Israel is holding three Lebanese citizens not connected to the group.

In 1139:

In 1137 Damascus atabeg Mahmud invaded and plundered Lebanon, while Zengi besieged Homs and the Tripoli army at Montferrand. In a treaty Zengi agreed to let the army go but kept the Montferrand castle. The next year a coalition of Christians attacked Aleppo and besieged Shaizar, but riots in Baghdad persuaded Mas'ud to send troops to help Zengi, who gained Homs as a dowry by marrying the atabeg's mother. In 1139 Zengi captured Baalbek, crucified the garrison, and sold the women as slaves.

I know that there was a lot of activity around Baalbek during the crusades, just not much that you can find on line. Then there's Tyre and Haifa. The history of conflict in this region is quite fascinating. Especially considering that the fighting has so often had the rank odor of religion involved.