Aaichiyeh (Arabic: عيشية) is a village in the Jezzine District in Southern Lebanon. It is located 82 kilometers far from Beirut and on an altitude of 750 meters. The village is accessible by the roads of Nabatieh-Jezzine and Marjayoun-Jezzine. Its population is approximately 4000 people as of 2008. [citation needed]
In October 1976 the Aishiyeh massacres took place, ending with 70 Christian Lebaneas citizens murdered. The massacre was done by Palestinians belonging to the Syrian backed factions of Fatah and As-Sa'iqa.[1] On October 5th,1977 following the massacre, the village was attacked again by As-Sa'iqa that murdered 41 Christian citizens.[2] Today, Aichiyeh's people strongly support the Lebanese Armed Forces and good and strong relations between them.
Etymology
The name "aïchiye" (العيشية ) goes back to the word "live", which is the symbol of comfortable living and the surrounding pine trees and nature.[citation needed]
Religious sites
There are two churches in Aaichiyeh: Mar Antonios (مار انطونيوس) Church, and the Church of the Lady (السيدة العذراء). They were built prior to the Lebanese Civil war (1975-1990) and were both renovated at the conclusion of the conflict.
Aichiyeh is part of south Lebanon's agricultural regeon with rich and fertile soil, which makes its inhabitants dependent on raising livestock, bees, chickens, and growing olives and fruits such as grapes, peaches and apricots. The spring provides irrigation of cultivated lands. In the past, the villagers planted tobacco, a widespread crop at the time. Aaichiyeh is known for its abundance in oak and pine trees.[3]
The history of Aichiyeh dates back to the Phoenician period as vases were discoverd. This indicates that there was a previous Phoenician settlement in the area. During the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, the IDF had an army base in Aichiyeh.[4] On 6 August 1994 two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hezbollah in Aichiyeh.[5]
