The town leaders then met with a military commander of the Lebanese Front who told them that Qnat was at a disadvantage geographically and militarily, but the townspeople insisted on staying to defend it.

[2] On Tuesday, February 12, 1980, following clashes between the Kateab and the Marada, a Syrian patrol unit entered the town of Qnat and skirmishes then began between the Phalangist combatants.

11 Lebanese reinforcements also arrived from the Adonis' Defense Units, headed by Hanna Atik, along with 7 elite ″commandos″, led by Suleiman Hoayek.

Violent clashes then ensued in the east of the town, and at around 3 the Syrians retreated leaving behind dozens of dead and military equipment.

On Sunday, February 17, the two parties agreed to a ceasefire, and Lebanese fighters withdrew to Bani Saab and Assaf.

[10] The battle turned Samir Geagea, the son of a modest family from the same district as Qnat, into a respected leader and a member of Maronite community's new elite.