The Dilemma of Terrorist Retaliations Against Schools in Sectarian Conflict Regions: The Case of Lebanon

Abstract

ABATRACTIslamic terrorist attacks on schools in regions wracked by sectarian conflict and political instability have soared for the last decade, disrupting educational processes and causing traumatic injuries. This article discusses key motives for terrorists to target schools and argues that the recent escalation of war against Islamic terrorist groups will stimulate brutal retaliations on soft civilian targets including schools. The article demonstrates that the lack of school protection strategies, the sectarian division and political conflict, the growing capabilities of ISIS, and the Syrian sectarian war have increased terrorist attacks in Lebanon and could further lead to ruthless retaliation against schools.