Wadi Khaled
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Wadi Khaled
| native_name = وادي خالد
| native_name_lang = ara
| settlement_type =
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = Lebanon
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_map_alt = Map showing the location of Wadi Khaled within Lebanon
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Lebanon
| coordinates = {{coord|34.619055|N|36.37835|E|region:LB_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|Lebanon}}
| subdivision_type1 = Governorate
| subdivision_name1 = Akkar Governorate
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Akkar District
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 40
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_min_m = 370
| elevation_max_m = 700
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 41,000 Lebanese and 31,000 Syrian refugees
| population_as_of = 2017
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_note =
| timezone1 = EET
| utc_offset1 = +2
| timezone1_DST = EEST
| utc_offset1_DST = +3
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = Dialing code
| area_code = +06
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Wadi Khaled ({{langx|ar|وادي خالد}}) is a region in the district of Akkar, on the borders of northeastern Lebanon.{{Cite web |last=El-Asmar |first=Joudy |date=2019-06-25 |title=Wadi Khaled: bordering Syria and Lebanon |url=https://www.mashallahnews.com/wadi-khaled-bordering-syria-and-lebanon/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Mashallah News |language=en-US}}
In Wadi Khaled, it is hot in summer, cold in winter and humid in all seasons. The altitude of this region is between 370 meters (El Msalabieh) and 700 meters (Hneider). It is 175 km from Beirut and 70 km from Tripoli.
There are 27 villages in Wadi Khaled, with Al-Amayer being the most populous.{{Cite web |last=Al-Assaad |first=Yacoub |date=2023-01-07 |title=Wadi Khaled |url=https://wadikhaled.wordpress.com/wadi-khaled/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207222024/https://wadikhaled.wordpress.com/wadi-khaled/ |archive-date=2023-02-07 |access-date=2023-01-07 |language=ar}}
History
The population of Wadi Khaled has long been stateless, particularly due to the residents' non-participation in the 1932 Lebanese population census, despite having inhabited the area for centuries. The majority of the inhabitants of the region obtained Lebanese nationality in 1994, thanks to the decree of naturalization n°5247, however there remain an estimated 1,600 stateless people in this region today.{{Cite web |title=Northern Lebanon: people of Wadi Khaled have to choose between feeding their kids or taking them to the doctor |url=https://www.msf-me.org/media-centre/news-and-stories/northern-lebanon-people-wadi-khaled-have-choose-between-feeding-their |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES - MIDDLE EAST |language=en}} The national youth forum in Wadi Khaled was the first to ask for the naturalization of the inhabitants of the village as well as several solidarity and social movements and supporters.
During the Syrian civil war, tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, mainly Sunni families, crossed the border to settle in the region.{{cite web |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2013/05/lebanon-wadi-khaled-syria-war.html |title=Syrian War Overtakes Lebanese Valley |publisher=Al-Monitor |date=25 May 2013 }}
In July 2022, fighting emerged between two rival families from neighboring localities. At least one person was killed and several more injured by gunfire.{{Cite web |last=Hallak |first=Michel |date=2022-07-27 |title=Fighting reignites in Wadi Khaled |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1306945/fighting-reignites-in-wadi-khaled.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727173545/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1306945/fighting-reignites-in-wadi-khaled.html |archive-date=2022-07-27 |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=L'Orient Today}} The military then intervened and raided the homes of those involved and arrested several.{{Cite web |title=Ending a family conflict, residences raided in Wadi Khaled |url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/ending-family-conflict-residences-raided-wadi-khaled |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Akkar District|state=expanded}}
Category:Populated places in Akkar District
{{Lebanon-geo-stub}}