During the 1860 Mount Lebanon civil war, Said Jumblatt, the paramount leader of the Druze of the Chouf appealed for Ismail's assistance in the Druze conflict with the Maronites. In his appeal, Jumblatt stated that without Ismail's intervention, the Druze were threatened with extermination. According to Churchill, a British diplomat, Ismail and his men sprung like tigers from their lairs in response to Jumblatt's call. Ismail commanded 3,000 fighters toward Wadi al-Taym, from which another 2,000 Druze fighters joined them. Ismail launched surprise and rapid forays against Christian villages and forces in Wadi al-Taym, Zahle and the Beqaa Valley. Ismail was invited to intervene because the Druze lionized him for his military skills and bravery, according to Druze historian Kais Firro. Following the war, Ismail's leadership of the Druze was further consolidated.