Hanna Atik

Hanna Yussuf Atik was born in 1959 to a non-political Maronite family in Al Hedd-Akkar, Lebanon.

After many massacres of neighboring Christian villages, Hanna and his family found themselves forced into a local migration and fled towards Keserwan, penniless and without any connections.

In 1977, at the age of 17, Hanna Atik officially joined the SKS Force of the Phalangist Party. His devotion and attitude towards his comrades earned him the nickname "Hanoun". From 1980-1981 he was in charge of Adonis' Defense Units until he joined the Lebanese Forces in 1982, under the Leadership of Bachir Gemayel.

In 1982 he formed and trained the elite Sadem unit, which quickly became known for its military skills and scored numerous victories during the war. Hanna was also the first leader to allow women to join the military forces and held a dedicated Sadem training session specifically for females. In 1985, Hanna Atik lost his brother, Rezkollah Yussuf Atik, at the age of twenty three (23) to martyrdom.

Throughout his many years of commitment to the LF, he held various positions including District Chief of the LF Headquarters, Head of the 1st and 2nd Task Force, and Commander of the 1st Defense Battalion. Eventually, he became the Vice Chief of Staff and in 1991 he held the 1 out of 12 seats in the LF Leadership Council and was appointed Head of the LF Youth Organization.

In 1995, after the Taef Accord was signed, Hanna was exiled to the United States, where he resided in California with his family for the following 13 years. During his exile, Hanna Atik formed the LF Political Council and was officially elected as its Secretary General. In 2002, Hanna Atik personally masterminded, lobbied for and led the reconciliation between the Lebanese Forces and several Lebanese Christian parties, including The Phalangists & Al Ahrar. Hanna has received numerous medallions of honors in appreciation for his acts of bravery and his dedication to the Cause.

He returned to Lebanon in 2007. Today, Hanna Atik remains active on the Lebanese political front. He resides in Keserwan with his wife and his four children and remains a devout Christian and a patriotic Lebanese, who dreams of the glory of Lebanon to all its daughters and sons.