Beaufort Castle: Between historic and strategic significance

Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortress locally known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, has been the site of many battles over the centuries. Today, it is once making headlines after the Israeli army announced Sunday that its Golani Brigade had seized it and raised the Israeli flag atop it. Perched on a rocky promontory in the village of Arnoun (Nabatieh), the castle is both strategically and symbolically significant, with a history that dates back to the Crusades.'What the Golan embodied'Because of its location, control of Beaufort Castle has long been a major issue for conquering armies in Lebanon. Originally built by the Crusaders around 1137 AD, it was expanded and remodeled by the Ayyubids, the Mamluks, and local feudal governors of the Saabi family. The castle and its surroundings are officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. ...