The Islamic Society, also referred to as the Islamic Coalition, was an organization of extremist Sunni Muslim factions based in southern Lebanon. Although it is unclear when the coalition was formed, the Islamic Society conducted the majority of its operations during the 15-year Lebanese civil war that began in 1975. The organization was believed to be founded in order to protect Sunni Muslims living in southern Lebanon. Throughout the civil war, the Islamic Society would engage in fighting against the Israeli-backed Southern Lebanese Army (composed mainly of Maronite Christians), the Israeli Defense Forces, and other rival Muslim militias. The organization was suspected of being an ally of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia terrorist organization. <p><br />The organization's most publicized attack was against a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) helicopter on February 5, 1986. International forces arrived in Lebanon under UN mandate on March 23, 1978 in direct response to Israel's invasion of Lebanon on March 13th. Israel invaded Lebanon in order to prevent Palestinian terrorists, mainly the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), from launching attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory. The UNIFIL was charged with ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, restoring peace and security, and assisting the Lebanese government's return to authority in the area. Israeli forces often blocked UNIFIL from carrying out its mandate to help the Lebanese government extend its authority as far as the Israeli border, charging that the UNIFIL could not stop missile attacks against Israeli territory or prevent guerrilla infiltrations. Forces under the UNIFIL remain in Lebanon as the mandate was extended until July 31, 2006 when its renewal will be debated. <p><br />Members of the Islamic Society fired upon the helicopter 'accidentally,' mistaking it for a Southern Lebanese Army aircraft, and forced it to make an emergency landing near the port city of Sidon. Unlike traditional military helicopters, the UN helicopter was painted white. The Southern Lebanese Army was not known to posses any helicopters. International UN forces were often accused of shielding Israel from attacks by Muslim guerillas. The Islamic Society freed all six UNIFIL personnel after nearly nine hours of captivity. No casualties were reported. During the attack, the helicopter was conducting a routine patrol flight over a buffer zone established south of Sidon between guerrillas and Israeli forces in Lebanon when forces for the Southern Lebanese Army and Islamic Society frequently clashed.<br />