Hezbollah is an Iranian-sponsored, internationally sanctioned terrorist group with an anti-Israel and anti-U.S. agenda. Hezbollah is primarily based in Lebanon, but has carried out terrorist and criminal operations around the world.
October 29, 2024: Hezbollah’s Shura Council elects Naim Qassem as Hezbollah’s new secretary-general. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant responds to the announcement on X with a picture of Qassem and the comment: “Not for long.” The official Israeli government X account posts: “His tenure in this position may be the shortest in the history of this terrorist organization if he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine.”“Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as new leader, Israel says he won’t last long,” Reuters, October 29, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-elects-naim-qassem-succeed-slain-head-nasrallah-2024-10-29/.
Iran helped create the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon in the early 1980s in order to expand its influence in the region. Under the pretense of fighting foreign occupiers in Lebanon, Hezbollah has been responsible for murderous terror attacks against Israeli, American, and Jewish targets around the globe. Despite its rhetoric of freeing Lebanon from foreign occupation, Hezbollah has made no secret that it is heavily supported by foreign powers, namely the Islamist Iranian regime.
Iran has transferred mass quantities of weapons, fighters, and other supplies to Hezbollah through its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, using Syria as a transfer point. It has been responsible for transferring thousands of rockets, which Hezbollah has used against Israeli civilians, notably in the 2006 Second Lebanon War which was sparked by a Hezbollah cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers and capture of two others. In addition to its violently anti-Israel position, Hezbollah’s loyalty to Iran and Syria has translated into Hezbollah involvement on behalf of the embattled Syrian regime in that country’s civil war.
Like Iran, Hezbollah considers the United States and Israel to be its chief enemies, which has led to a global terrorist campaign against the two nations. Until September 11, 2001, Hezbollah was responsible for killing more Americans than any other terrorist organization. Among other deadly attacks, Hezbollah has been linked to the 1983 attack on U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon; the 1992 suicide bombing at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the 1994 suicide bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association in Buenos Aires; and the 2012 bombing of an Israeli tourist bus in Bulgaria. Hezbollah is also suspected of involvement in the February 2005 Beirut suicide bombing that killed 22 people, including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In August 2020, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon found Hezbollah member Salim Ayyash guilty of participation in the attack.
Further complicating Hezbollah’s status, the terror group has woven itself into Lebanon’s social fabric, setting up charities and providing services in the southern part of the country where government authority is weaker. These social services have boosted Hezbollah’s popularity enough to allow it to become part of the Lebanese political structure. Since 1992, Hezbollah has had a presence and outsized influence in the elected government.
Hezbollah is a key political actor within Lebanon. Hariri’s 2005 death sparked an internal revolution—dubbed the Cedar Revolution—in Lebanon that led to the withdrawal of occupying Syrian forces and the creation of pro-Syrian and anti-Syrian political factions in Lebanon’s parliament. Hezbollah’s political party leads the pro-Syrian March 8 faction, which also include the Shiite Amal party and the Christian-aligned Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). Though it is itself a smaller party in the parliament, Hezbollah’s political party has stalled the creation of governing coalitions and caused their downfall through the withdrawal of Hezbollah support. In October 2016, the Lebanese government elected Hezbollah political ally Michel Aoun as president. In May 2018, Hezbollah and its political allies won 70 of Lebanon’s 128 parliamentary seats in the country’s first parliamentary elections since 2009. Hezbollah ministers held only two cabinet positions in Lebanon’s government announced in January 2020, but the new government was widely viewed as allied with the terror group due to its inclusion of Hezbollah-allied parties. After a year-long political stalemate, Hezbollah-supported Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati announced a new Lebanese government on September 10, 2021, which included two ministers nominated by Hezbollah and a third Hezbollah minister nominated by the Amal party. However, while Hezbollah kept its 13 seats in Lebanon’s parliament during the country’s May 15, 2022, elections, its allied political bloc lost its majority in the parliament.
In 2013, the European Union branded Hezbollah’s armed wing a terrorist organization but distinguished it from Hezbollah’s political wing. Ahead of the designation, Europe’s leaders were divided over the label out of fear of complicating their relationships with Lebanon. Though the EU distinguished between Hezbollah’s political and armed wings, the terror group considers itself a singular organization, and its leadership has continued to pursue a terrorist agenda with Iranian aid. In early 2020, Germany joined the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in designating Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist group. Argentina, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia also designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2019 and 2020. Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Austria designated Hezbollah as a whole in 2020 and early 2021. In July 2021, members of the U.S. House of Representatives called on the European Union to also designate Hezbollah in its entirety.Omri Nahmias, “Bipartisan US lawmakers urge EU to fully label Hezbollah a terror group,” Jerusalem Post, July 27, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/international/bipartisan-us-lawmakers-urge-eu-to-fully-label-hezbollah-a-terror-group-675063; “Bipartisan Resolution Urging EU to Designate Hezbollah a Terrorist Organization Introduced,” Website of Congressman Ted Deutsch, July 26, 2021, https://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403016.
The Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah (“the Party of God”) emerged in Lebanon in 1982 following Israel’s invasion to halt cross-border guerilla attacks by the Palestine Liberation Organization. Hezbollah’s stated goal was to fight “for the liberation of the occupied territories and the ejection of the aggressive Israeli forces.”“Q & A: Leaving Lebanon,” BBC News, May 23, 2000, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/636594.stm. Its ideology was modeled on Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1979 Iranian revolution. As counterterrorism expert Matt Levitt notes, within the setting of the Lebanese civil war, “the 1982 Israeli invasion and subsequent occupation of southern Lebanon created the space in which Iranian diplomats and agents could help fashion the unified entity Hezbollah from a motley crew of Shi’a militias and groups.”Matthew Levitt, “The origins of Hezbollah,” Atlantic, October 23, 2013, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/10/the-origins-of-hezbollah/280809/. Iran thus viewed the rise of Hezbollah as an opportunity to extend its influence, cultivating Hezbollah as a proxy force, providing funding, training, and weaponry through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Hezbollah pledged its loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and modeled its ideology on Khomeini’s 1979 Iranian revolution.“An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program,” Council on Foreign Relations, January 1, 1988, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/open-letter-hizballah-program/p30967. According to counterterrorism expert Matthew Levitt, within the setting of the Lebanese civil war, “the 1982 Israeli invasion and subsequent occupation of southern Lebanon created the space in which Iranian diplomats and agents could help fashion the unified entity Hezbollah from a motley crew of Shi’a militias and groups.”Matthew Levitt, “The origins of Hezbollah,” Atlantic, October 23, 2013, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/10/the-origins-of-hezbollah/280809/.
Iran thus viewed the rise of Hezbollah as an opportunity to extend its influence, cultivating Hezbollah as a proxy force, providing funding, training, and weaponry through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Mohamed Kawas, “Former Hezbollah chief: ‘Tehran is only investing in Lebanon’s Shia to serve its own interests,’” Arab Weekly (London), May 8, 2016, http://www.thearabweekly.com/Opinion/5001/Former-Hezbollah-chief:-%E2%80%98Tehran-is-only-investing-in-Lebanon%E2%80%99s-Shia-to-serve-its-own-interests%E2%80%99.
Hezbollah is first and foremost an instrument of the Iranian regime. The group’s 1985 manifesto explicitly states, “We are the sons of the umma (Muslim community)—the party of God (Hizb Allah) the vanguard of which was made victorious by God in Iran.” Furthermore, the group is explicit in its submission to the Iranian supreme leader’s decrees, avowing its compliance to the dictates of “one leader, wise and just, that of our tutor and faqih (jurist) who fulfills all the necessary conditions: [Ayatollah] Ruhollah Musawi Khomeini.”“An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program,” Council on Foreign Relations, January 1, 1988, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/open-letter-hizballah-program/p30967.
Hezbollah is devout is in its adherence to Khomeini’s philosophy of vilayat-e faqih (rule of the Islamic jurist), which calls for the absolute rule of a single jurist over religious and state affairs. Khomeini used the concept to seize absolute power as Iran’s supreme leader, and Hezbollah pledged its allegiance to Khomeini and his successor, Ali Khamenei. In a 2012 interview, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem called vilayat-e faqih “the reason for Hezbollah’s establishment.” According to Qassem, in 1982, the so-called Committee of Nine—the predecessor to Hezbollah’s Shura Council—sent a delegation to receive Khomeini’s blessing in Tehran. According to the account of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, Khomeini told them to “rely on God” and “spoke of victories that we now see.”Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, “Khamenei and Hezbollah: Leading in Spirit,” Al-Akbar English, August 8, 2012, http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/10894.
After that 1982 meeting, Iran reportedly sent 1,000 IRGC soldiers to provide military training,“Bullets to Ballotbox: A History of Hezbollah,” PBS Frontline, May 2003, http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/lebanon/history.html. and in February 1985, Hezbollah formally emerged and issued its manifesto. Hezbollah pledged loyalty to Khomeini, demanded the expulsion of foreign forces (i.e., Israel, France, and the U.S.) from Lebanon, called for Israel’s destruction, and called for the creation of an Islamic state in Lebanon.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155.
As an Iranian proxy, Hezbollah’s perceived threat environment is almost identical to Iran’s—Tehran’s enemies are Hezbollah’s enemies. Like Iran, Hezbollah considers the U.S. and Israel to be its chief foes. The group’s manifesto describes the U.S. as the root of abomination and declares that its “determination to fight the U.S. is solid.”“An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program,” Council on Foreign Relations, January 1, 1988, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/open-letter-hizballah-program/p30967. Among Hezbollah’s earliest major attacks on U.S. and Western interests was the 1983 truck bombing at a U.S. Marine compound in Beirut, which killed 241 U.S. service members.“Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing Fast Facts,” CNN, June 13, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/world/meast/beirut-marine-barracks-bombing-fast-facts/. The group also carried out a simultaneous truck bombing on French forces in Beirut, killing 58 soldiers.“Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing Fast Facts,” CNN, June 13, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/world/meast/beirut-marine-barracks-bombing-fast-facts/.
Since Khomeini’s 1989 death, Hezbollah has maintained its allegiance to the Iranian supreme leader’s successor, Khamenei.Matthew Levitt, “Hizballah and the Qods Force in Iran’s Shadow War with the West,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, January 2013, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyFocus123.pdf. For example, Hezbollah and the IRGC’s external wing, the Quds Force, reportedly agreed in January 2010 to cooperate in attacking Israeli, U.S., and Western targets.Matthew Levitt, Hizballah and the Qods Force in Iran’s Shadow War with the West (Washington: Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 2013), 1, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyFocus123.pdf. In 2012, Hezbollah pledged to defend Iran against any attack by the United States or Israel.Rana Muhammad Taha, “Nasrallah threatens US on behalf of Iran,” Daily News Egypt, September 4, 2012, http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/09/04/hezbollah-if-attacked-iran-could-attack-us-bases/. The group has also joined the IRGC in its ongoing fight to support the Assad regime in Syria.“Hezbollah leader Nasrallah vows victory in Syria,” BBC News, May 25, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22669230. During an October 2016 Hezbollah rally in Beirut, many of the thousands of Hezbollah supporters in attendance reportedly wore pictures of Khamenei in their headbands.Angus McDowell, “Hezbollah vows at massive Beirut rally to keep up ‘jihad’ in Syria,” Reuters, October 12, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-ashura-idUSKCN12C1II. In turn, Khamenei has pledged Iran’s continued support for Hezbollah, which he had called a “source of honor for the Muslim world” earlier in the year.Ariel Ben Solomon, “Khamenei vows full support for Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, April 21, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Khamenei-vows-full-support-for-Hezbollah-451904.
According to Subhi al-Tufayli, Hezbollah’s first secretary-general from 1989 to 1991, Iran has supported Hezbollah in order to expand its own influence in the region. “There is no voice within Lebanon’s Shia community that is not tied to Iran,” he told the London-based Arab Weekly in May 2016. Mohamed Kawas, “Former Hezbollah chief: ‘Tehran is only investing in Lebanon’s Shia to serve its own interests,’” Arab Weekly (London), May 8, 2016, http://www.thearabweekly.com/Opinion/5001/Former-Hezbollah-chief:-%E2%80%98Tehran-is-only-investing-in-Lebanon%E2%80%99s-Shia-to-serve-its-own-interests%E2%80%99.
Hezbollah claims that it is in confrontation with Israel, “the Zionist entity,” which it maintains is built on land aggressively “wrested from” its rightful owners while Israel trampled “the rights of the Muslim people.”“An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program,” Council on Foreign Relations, January 1, 1988, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/open-letter-hizballah-program/p30967. Hezbollah refuses to accept any ceasefires, treaties, or peace agreements, and sees only one end to its “struggle” against Israel, namely “when this entity is obliterated.”“An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program,” Council on Foreign Relations, January 1, 1988, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/open-letter-hizballah-program/p30967. In a May 2020 interview with Iranian media, Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s executive assembly, declared the primary goal of Iran’s so-called resistance groups is to liberate Jerusalem and all Muslims have a “duty” to prepare for that confrontation.“Liberation of Al-Quds Main Goal of Resistance Front: Hezbollah,” Tasnim News Agency, May 20, 2020, https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/05/20/2270305/liberation-of-al-quds-main-goal-of-resistance-front-hezbollah.
Hezbollah has been linked to numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets since its inception, including: the 1992 suicide bombing at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 29 and injured 240;Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah’s 1992 Attack in Argentina Is a Warning for Modern-Day Europe,” Atlantic, March 19, 2013, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/hezbollahs-1992-attack-in-argentina-is-a-warning-for-modern-day-europe/274160/. the 1994 suicide bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, killing over 80;“Iran Charged over Argentina Bomb,” BBC News, October 25, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6085768.stm. and the 2006 cross-border attack in which Hezbollah operatives killed eight Israeli soldiers and abducted two more, launching a summer war with Israel.Greg Myre and Steven Erlanger, “Israelis Enter Lebanon After Attacks,” New York Times, July 13, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/13/world/middleeast/13mideast.html;
“Security Council Calls for End to Hostilities Between Hizbollah, Israel, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1701,” U.N. Security Council, August 11, 2006, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8808.doc.htm.
In May 2000, Israel withdrew its forces from its security zone in southern Lebanon to internationally recognized borders, the so-called Blue Line.Marjorie Miller, John Daniszewski, and Tracy Wilkinson, “Israel Leaves South Lebanon After 22 Years,” Los Angeles Times, May 24, 2000, http://articles.latimes.com/2000/may/24/news/mn-33497. Following Israel’s withdrawal, Hezbollah justified its continued reliance on terrorism by arguing that Israel still occupied seven villages in the Golan Heights along the border known as the Shebaa Farms. This area was part of Syria when Israel took the territory during the 1967 war, and the U.N. recognized Shebaa Farms in 1974 as occupied Syrian territory. Syria and Hezbollah contend that while the Shebaa Farms is located in the Golan Heights, it actually sits on land considered to be Lebanese territory. This depiction has provided Hezbollah with a justification to thus “liberate” the territories from Israel.Daniel Mandel, “Syria and the Shebaa Farms Dispute,” Jewish Policy Center, Spring 2009, http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/831/syria-and-the-shebaa-farms-dispute.
In November 2009, Hezbollah created a new political manifesto that identified the United States as “the centre of polarization and hegemony in the world” and reaffirmed its opposition to Israel, which it identified as “a constant threat and an impending danger to Lebanon.”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf. According to the manifesto, the United States is committed to “dominating the nations politically, economically, culturally and through all aspects,” which leaves only “the choice of resistance.”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf. The manifesto further asserts that Israel “embodies an eternal threat to Lebanon - the State and the entity - and a real hazard to the country in terms of its historical cravings in land and water….”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf. Moreover, “The ‘Israeli’ threat to this country started since the establishment of the Zionist entity in the land of Palestine, an entity that did not falter to divulge its aspirations to occupy some parts of Lebanon and to grasp its wealth, mainly its water… This entity began its aggression on Lebanon since 1948 from the border to the depth of the country….”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf.
Hezbollah’s updated manifesto renewed its commitment to terrorism, couched in the language of “resistance” to Israel. “Resistance” was elevated to the status of a national responsibility, extended to all Lebanese citizens. According to the manifesto, “The Resistance role is a national necessity as long as the ‘Israeli’ threats and aspirations persist.”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf. Hezbollah called for Lebanon to “approve a defensive strategy that depends on a popular resistance” to defend the country against “the ‘Israeli’ threat.”“The New Hezbollah Manifesto,” Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, November 2009, http://www.lebanonrenaissance.org/assets/Uploads/15-The-New-Hezbollah-Manifesto-Nov09.pdf.
Citing Hezbollah’s victory in the Syrian civil war, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced in December 2017 that his group would refocus its energies against Israel. Nasrallah called on Hezbollah’s allies to create a united strategy “in the field” with which to confront Israel.“Hezbollah's Nasrallah says group to focus on Israel,” Reuters, December 11, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-hezbollah/hezbollahs-nasrallah-says-group-to-focus-on-israel-idUSKBN1E51OV.
As an Iranian proxy, Hezbollah has taken up arms alongside Syrian and Iranian forces in defense of the Syrian regime in that country’s civil war. In 2012, the U.S. Treasury levied additional sanctions on Hezbollah for its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to Treasury, since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in early 2011, Hezbollah provided “training, advice and extensive logistical support to the Government of Syria’s increasingly ruthless efforts to fight against the opposition.”“Treasury Targets Hizballah for Supporting the Assad Regime,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 10, 2012, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1676.aspx.
Subhi al-Tufayli, Hezbollah’s first secretary-general from 1989 to 1991, has accused Hezbollah of being a “partner in the killing of the Syrian people.” He denounced Hezbollah members who fight alongside Russians, and called on the Hezbollah leadership to heed Lebanese opposition to the group’s involvement in Syria.Mohamed Kawas, “Former Hezbollah chief: ‘Tehran is only investing in Lebanon’s Shia to serve its own interests,’” Arab Weekly (London), May 8, 2016, http://www.thearabweekly.com/Opinion/5001/Former-Hezbollah-chief:-%E2%80%98Tehran-is-only-investing-in-Lebanon%E2%80%99s-Shia-to-serve-its-own-interests%E2%80%99.
Hezbollah’s role in Syria is not limited to fighting anti-government rebels. Under Iranian direction, Hezbollah has also fought against ISIS, which Nasrallah described as a growing threat to the region and an existential threat to Lebanon in an August 2014 interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.Tom Perry, “Hezbollah sees Islamic State as threat to Gulf, Jordan,” Reuters, August 15, 2014, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/15/uk-lebanon-hezbollah-islamicstate-idUKKBN0GF0YA20140815. Hezbollah has also fought against the Nusra Front (Jabhat Fateh al-Sham).“Hezbollah targets Jabhat Fatah al-Sham outside Arsal,” Daily Star (Beirut), October 17, 2016, https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Oct-17/376738-hezbollah-targets-jabhat-fatah-al-sham-outside-arsal.ashx. On October 19, 2016, Qassem told Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV that Hezbollah “will not leave Syria as long as there is a need to confront takfiri groups.”“Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah Will not Leave Syria as Long as There Is Need to Fight Takfiris,” Al-Manar TV, October 19, 2016, http://english.almanar.com.lb/70398. In September 2017, Nasrallah declared victory in Syria. “We have won in the war,” he said, according to Al-Akhbar.Tom Peery and Katya Golubkova, “Hezbollah declares Syria victory, Russia says much of country won back,” Reuters, September 12, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-hezbollah/hezbollah-declares-syria-victory-russia-says-much-of-country-won-back-idUSKCN1BN0YL. Nonetheless, in June 2018, Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, of the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement, told Russian media that Hezbollah and Iran would remain in Syria until it is “fully liberated from terrorists.”“Hezbollah and Iran 'to stay in Syria until it is liberated,’” Al Jazeera, June 6, 2018, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/hezbollah-iran-stay-syria-liberated-180606162339625.html. In September 2018, Nasrallah declared that Hezbollah would remain in Syria indefinitely with the Syrian government’s permission.Dahlia Nehme and Laila Bassam, “Hezbollah leader says group will stay in Syria until further notice,” Reuters, September 19, 2018, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-nasrallah/hezbollah-leader-says-group-will-stay-in-syria-until-further-notice-idUKKCN1LZ2KX.
Israel has launched several airstrikes against the group’s suspected supply chain in Syria. In January 2015, Nasrallah called Israeli airstrikes on alleged weapons shipments to Hezbollah in Syria an aggression against Syria’s regional allies. As such, Syria’s allies have the right to retaliate, according to Nasrallah.“Hezbollah Says Assad’s Allies Have Right to Respond to Israeli Attacks in Syria,” Reuters, January 15, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/us-lebanon-hezbollah-syria-idUSKBN0KO2DO20150115. Israel has since continued to strike against Syrian and Iranian targets suspected of arming Hezbollah in the country.“Monitor: Suspected Israeli strike targets Hezbollah in Syria,” Associated Press, May 25, 2018, https://www.apnews.com/43ce8296290f427982b1fcd365ae9c1c; Jack Khoury, Noa Landau, and Reuters, “Israel ‘Strikes Weapons Depot Meant for Iran or Hezbollah Near Damascus Airport,’” Haaretz, September 17, 2018, https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/israel-strikes-weapons-depot-meant-for-iran-or-hezbollah-near-damascus-airport-1.6471935.
Hezbollah’s participation in Syria has also resulted in an increasingly antagonistic role vis-à-vis the Middle East’s Sunni Arab nations, which oppose Iran’s regional ambitions. The Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) labeled Hezbollah a terrorist group in March 2016 because of its “hostile acts” against GCC member states, recruitment for “terrorist attacks, smuggling weapons and explosives, stirring up sedition and incitement to chaos and violence,” and participation in the Syrian civil war. “Gulf Arab states label Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” Reuters, March 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-hezbollah-idUSKCN0W40XF. The Arab League also labeled Hezbollah a terrorist group that month, accusing Hezbollah and the IRGC of financing and training terrorist groups and interfering in regional affairs. The GCC had previously sanctioned Hezbollah in 2013 for its role in Syria.“Gulf Arab states label Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” Reuters, March 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-hezbollah-idUSKCN0W40XF;
“Arab League labels Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” Reuters, March 11, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-arabs-idUSKCN0WD239. On November 19, 2017, the Arab League again condemned Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, citing its regional disruption efforts on behalf of Iran. Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa accused Hezbollah of “full control” over Lebanon and called for accountability of “countries where Hezbollah is a partner in government responsible, specifically Lebanon.”Ben Wedeman, “Arab League states condemn Hezbollah as ‘terrorist organization,’” CNN, November 20, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/19/middleeast/saudi-arabia-iran-arab-league/index.html.
Iran’s support for Hezbollah and Hezbollah’s influence in the Lebanese government has strained Lebanon’s relations with Gulf states opposed to Iran. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain expelled Lebanon’s ambassadors and banned Lebanese imports in October 2021 after Hezbollah-allied Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized Saudi Arabia’s conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.Kareem Chehayeb, “Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expel Lebanese ambassadors,” Al Jazeera, October 29, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/10/29/saudi-arabia-bans-imports-from-lebanon-expels-ambassador; “Lebanon seizes millions of amphetamine pills in shipment of lemons,” Reuters, December 29, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-seizes-millions-amphetamine-pills-shipment-lemons-2021-12-29/. Hezbollah has also stepped up its rhetoric against the Saudi monarchy. In September 2016, Nasrallah declared Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi ideology to be “more evil than Israel.”“Hezbollah chief prefers Israel over Wahhabism,” Ya Libnan, September 27, 2016, http://yalibnan.com/2016/09/27/hezbollah-chief-prefers-israel-over-wahhabism/;
&Nasrallah: Wahhabism ‘more evil’ than Israel,” Times of Israel, September 27, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/nasrallah-wahhabism-more-evil-than-israel/. Thousands of Hezbollah supporters at an October 2016 rally reportedly chanted “Death to the Al Saud,” referring to Saudi Arabia’s ruling family.“Hezbollah sees more conflict in Syria and rising regional tension,” Reuters, October 11, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-hezbollah-idUSKCN12B2FG?il=0. During a January 3, 2022, televised address, Nasrallah accused Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of exporting ISIS’s ideology and providing cars for suicide attacks in Iraq. Nasrallah further accused Saudi Arabia of participating in a wider conspiracy to destroy the Middle East. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office soon after issued a statement distancing the Lebanese government from Nasrallah’s address.Kareem Chehayeb, “Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah accuses Saudi Arabia of ‘terrorism,’” Al Jazeera, last updated January 4, 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/3/hezbollahs-nasrallah-accuses-saudi-arabia-of-terrorism.
After the January 2020 death of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq, Iran reportedly tasked Hezbollah with uniting the Iran-backed Shiite Iraqi militias that had previously answered to the Quds Force. The U.S.-designated Hezbollah agent Mohammed al-Kawtharani began overseeing the militias operating in Iraq.“Tehran-backed Hezbollah steps in to guide Iraqi militias in Soleimani's wake,” Reuters, February 11, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-iraq-hezbollah-insight/tehran-backed-hezbollah-steps-in-to-guide-iraqi-militias-in-soleimanis-wake-idUSKBN20520Y. Kawtharani has acted as a conduit for training, funding, and other forms of Hezbollah support to Iraqi Shiite militias. According to the U.S. government, Kawtharani assisted in the transport of fighters from Iraq to Syria to support the Assad regime. Kawtharani also helped secure the release of senior Hezbollah commander Ali Mussa Daqduq from Iraqi custody in 2012.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Leadership,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 22, 2013, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2147.aspx; “U.S. Offers $10 Million for Information on Hezbollah Commander in Iraq,” Reuters, April 10, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iraq-hezbollah-idUSKCN21S233; “Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah’s Financial Networks Muhammad Kawtharani,” U.S. Department of State, April 10, 2020, https://2017-2021.state.gov/reward-offer-for-information-on-hizballahs-financial-networks-muhammad-kawtharani//index.html. Michael R. Gordon, “Against U.S. Wishes, Iraq Releases Man Accused of Killing American Soldiers,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/world/middleeast/iraq-said-to-release-hezbollah-operative.html. According to the U.S. government, Kawtharani has “taken over some of the political coordination of Iran-allied paramilitary groups” in Iraq and “facilitates the actions of groups outside the control of the Government of Iraq that have violently suppressed protests, attacked foreign diplomatic missions, and engaged in wide-spread organized criminal activity.”“U.S. Offers $10 Million for Information on Hezbollah Commander in Iraq,” Reuters, April 10, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iraq-hezbollah-idUSKCN21S233; “Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah’s Financial Networks Muhammad Kawtharani,” U.S. Department of State, April 10, 2020, https://2017-2021.state.gov/reward-offer-for-information-on-hizballahs-financial-networks-muhammad-kawtharani//index.html. The Associated Press reported in July 2021 that Iraqi militant commanders also met regularly in Lebanon with Nasrallah.Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Samya Kullab, “Keeping up attacks, some Iraq militias challenge patron Iran,” Associated Press, July 9, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-religion-iran-lebanon-17a5d13c97f72e1992bb6254445e32f2.
While Hezbollah promotes itself as a guardian of Lebanon against foreign invaders, it also provides social services to the Lebanese people in areas where the government lacks a strong presence, such as in the south. To maintain popular support, Hezbollah aims to demonstrate it can provide for the Lebanese people in areas where the Lebanese state has failed. For example, in 2004, Hezbollah provided $100,000 a month to the al-Janoub Hospital in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyah. After the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war, Lebanese citizens quickly forgot that Hezbollah instigated the conflict as the organization provided money for housing and welfare. “We have ideology and support. Our success can be seen in the peaceful existence between the Lebanese army and the military wing of Hezbollah,” said Hezbollah member Mohammed Ghosen.Scott Wilson, “Lebanese Wary of a Rising Hezbollah,” Washington Post, December 20, 2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12336-2004Dec19.html. In April 2021, Hezbollah opened a chain of discount supermarkets in Lebanon called “Al-Sajjad,” after the Shiite cleric Imam Ali Al-Sajjad. Shopping in the stores requires a Hezbollah-issued store card, which is only available to patrons who earn less than 1,500,000 Lebanese pounds (approximately $125) per month.Zeina Antonios, “In crisis-hit Lebanon, Hezbollah opens supermarkets for eligible shoppers,” France 24, April 16, 2021, https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210416-in-crisis-hit-lebanon-hezbollah-opens-supermarkets-for-eligible-shoppers. Former Lebanese justice minister Ashraf Rifi has called Hezbollah an enemy of the Lebanese state, while comparing Iran to Nazi Germany. According to Rifi, Hezbollah is determined to tear down the Lebanese state system.“Former Lebanese justice minister: ‘Hezbollah is an enemy of the state,’” Jewish News Syndicate, April 8, 2021, https://www.jns.org/former-lebanese-justice-minister-hezbollah-is-an-enemy-of-the-state/. Nonetheless, despite international sanctions on Lebanon’s banking system due to Hezbollah links, the group continues to promote itself to the Iranian people as a functioning alternative to state-run systems.
Hezbollah has played a major role in Lebanese politics since 1992. Subhi al-Tufayli, Hezbollah’s first secretary-general from 1989 to 1991, said in May 2016 that Hezbollah has complete control over Lebanon’s army, which “must follow wherever Hezbollah leads.”Mohamed Kawas, “Former Hezbollah chief: ‘Tehran is only investing in Lebanon’s Shia to serve its own interests,’” Arab Weekly (London), May 8, 2016, http://www.thearabweekly.com/Opinion/5001/Former-Hezbollah-chief:-%E2%80%98Tehran-is-only-investing-in-Lebanon%E2%80%99s-Shia-to-serve-its-own-interests%E2%80%99. Though Hezbollah had only two cabinet ministers in Lebanon’s new government announced in January 2020, the government primarily comprised Hezbollah allies. Western-backed political parties that had previously dominated Lebanon’s government were left out of the cabinet composition.Tom Perry and Ellen Francis, “Facing economic crisis, Lebanon's government weighs options,” Reuters, January 22, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis/facing-economic-crisis-lebanons-government-meets-for-first-time-idUSKBN1ZL0JW.
Hezbollah entered Lebanon’s political arena in 1992, when it won eight of the country’s 128 parliamentary seats in elections.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155. In 2005, Hezbollah won 23 seats, claiming a massive victory in southern Lebanon.Hussein Dakroub, “Hezbollah Wins Easy Victory In Elections in Southern Lebanon,” Washington Post, June 6, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/05/AR2005060501144.html. In 2008, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora banned Hezbollah’s private telecommunications network, sparking clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Lebanese soldiers. After two weeks of fighting, Qatar negotiated the Doha Agreement, which called for a national-unity government and granted the Hezbollah-led opposition veto power in the Lebanese government.“Lebanon Rivals Agree Crisis Deal,” BBC News, May 21, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7411835.stm. This essentially gave Hezbollah the ability to bring the government to a complete halt should it veer from Hezbollah’s agenda. In the 2009 election, Hezbollah and its allies were defeated by the U.S.-supported “March 14” alliance. Many were surprised by this result.Yara Bayoumy, “Hezbollah accepts election loss, U.S. backs allies,” Reuters, June 8, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/08/us-lebanon-election-idUSTRE55609720090608.
In January 2011, Hezbollah ministers resigned from the government shortly before the U.N.-backed Hariri tribunal was expected to issue indictments of four Hezbollah members over the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. The resignations led to the collapse of the government led by Hariri’s son, Saad Hariri.Laila Bassam, “Hezbollah and allies resign, toppling Lebanon government,” Reuters, January 12, 2011, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/01/12/us-lebanon-hariri-resignation-idUSTRE70B26A20110112. In late January 2011, the Hezbollah-backed businessman Najib Mikati was appointed as the new prime minister.Liam McLaughlin, “Lebanon: the forgotten Lebanon,” New Statesman, March 3, 2011, http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/03/lebanon-syria-hariri-hezbollah. In the new (what some commentators referred to as) “Hezbollah government,” Hezbollah received two portfolios as part of the 30-member strong government. The majority of the remaining ministers were from Hezbollah-allied factions.“Lebanon: Hezbollah dominates new cabinet of PM Mikati,” BBC News, June, 13, 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13750628.
Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam formed a new unity government in February 2014, awarding Hezbollah and the Sunni-led bloc of former prime minister Saad Hariri eight portfolios each. Among other ministries, Hezbollah controlled the foreign ministry and ministry of industry.“Lebanese PM Unveils National Unity Cabinet,” Al Jazeera, February 15, 2014, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13750628. On October 31, 2016, Lebanon’s parliament elected MP Michel Aoun as president.“Michel Aoun elected president of Lebanon,” Al Jazeera, October 31, 2016, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/michel-aoun-elected-president-lebanon-161031105331767.html. Aoun is a former general and Maronite Christian who heads the Free Patriotic Movement, which allied with Hezbollah in 2006.Ben Lynfield, “Political victory for Hezbollah expected in Lebanon election,” Jerusalem Post, October 31, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Political-victory-for-Hezbollah-expected-in-Lebanon-election-471274.Lebanon had been without a president since May 2014, and some Lebanese MPs blamed Hezbollah for preventing the government’s approval of a new president.“Janjanian blames Hezbollah for presidential vacuum,” Daily Star (Beirut), October 15, 2016, https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Oct-15/376547-janjanian-blames-hezbollah-for-presidential-vacuum.ashx;
Media Line, “Hezbollah’s ploy for more power in Lebanon,” Jerusalem Post, October 7, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hezbollahs-ploy-for-more-power-in-Lebanon-469638.
In May 2018, Lebanon held parliamentary elections for the first time since 2009. Hezbollah’s parliamentary representation remained steady at 13 seats, but Hezbollah and its allies altogether won a total of 70 of the parliament’s 128 seats. The anti-Hezbollah ruling Future movement saw a decrease from 33 to 21 seats, though its leader, Hariri, maintained his role as prime minister. Hezbollah leaders spoke of a larger influence in an as-yet-to-be-formed government coalition.Ben Hubbard and Hwaida Saad, “Lebanon Elections Boost Hezbollah’s Clout,” New York Times, May 7, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/world/middleeast/lebanon-election-hezbollah.html; Laila Bassam and Tom Perry, “Hezbollah eyes bigger role in next Lebanon government,” Reuters, May 23, 2018, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-election-hezbollah/hezbollah-eyes-bigger-role-in-next-lebanon-government-idUSKCN1IO30O. Nasrallah called the results “a political and moral victory” for Hezbollah that would guarantee the protection of “the resistance.”“Hezbollah's Nasrallah says Lebanon results are 'victory' for the resistance,” Reuters, May 7, 2018, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-election-hezbollah/hezbollahs-nasrallah-says-lebanon-results-are-victory-for-the-resistance-idUSKBN1I81PU.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned in October 2019 after two weeks of nationwide protests against government corruption.Tamara Qiblawi, Ben Wedeman, and Ghazi Balkiz, “Lebanon's Hariri resigns after nearly two weeks of nationwide protests,” CNN, October 29, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/middleeast/lebanon-saad-hariri-resigns-intl/index.html. Aoun appointed academic and former education minister Hassan Diab as the new prime minister in December 2019. In January 2020, Diab announced the formation of a government that included two Hezbollah ministers and members of Hezbollah-allied parties. Hezbollah received the portfolios for the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry. Hariri’s Future Movement and other pro-Western parties remained outside of the cabinet, drawing international concern that Hezbollah’s agenda would dominate Lebanon’s new cabinet.Ben Hubbard and Hwaida Saad, “Lebanon, Mired in Crises, Turns to a Professor as Prime Minister,” New York Times, December 19, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/world/middleeast/lebanon-prime-minister-hassan-diab.html; Associated Press, “Riots in Lebanon's capital leave more than 150 injured,” NBC News, January 18, 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/riots-lebanon-s-capital-leave-more-150-injured-n1118461; Tom Perry and Ellen Francis, “Facing economic crisis, Lebanon's government weighs options,” Reuters, January 22, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis/facing-economic-crisis-lebanons-government-meets-for-first-time-idUSKBN1ZL0JW; Sami Moubayed, “Who are the ministers in Lebanon’s new government?,” Gulf News, January 22, 2020, https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/who-are-the-ministers-in-lebanons-new-government-1.69174412. Diab dissolved the government on August 10, 2020, after two days of anti-government protests following an August 4 explosion at Beirut’s port that killed at least 200 and wounded more than 6,000.Michael Georgy and Ellen Francis, “Lebanese government quits amid fury over Beirut blast,” Reuters, August 10, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/lebanon-government-set-to-resign-amid-outrage-over-beirut-blast-minister-idUSKCN2560XY; Ted Regencia, Arwa Ibrahim, and Farah Najjar, “Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live,” Al Jazeera, August 9, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html. Aoun designated Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, Mustapha Adib, as the country’s new prime minister on August 31. Adib’s attempts to quickly form a government were delayed by Hezbollah’s demands for several ministries, leading Adib to resign on September 26. Lebanon’s political parties appointed Hariri as prime minister-designate on October 22, though he was not supported by Hezbollah.Nazih Osseiran and Raja Abdulrahim, “Lebanon Names New Prime Minister After Weeks of Political Uncertainty,” Wall Street Journal, August 31, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/lebanon-names-new-prime-minister-after-weeks-of-political-uncertainty-11598874624; “Lebanon: Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib resigns,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2020, https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-prime-minister-designate-mustapha-adib-resigns/a-55062582; “Lebanon crisis: Saad Hariri returns as PM a year after protests,” BBC News, October 22, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54630150.
Lebanon had still yet to form a government by the end of July 2021. Hezbollah denied it was intentionally delaying the process and claimed it would cooperate with any proposed government.“Hezbollah Denies Placing Obstacles to Lebanese Government Formation,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), February 6, 2021, https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2788361/hezbollah-denies-placing-obstacles-lebanese-government-formation. In February 2021, FPM head Gebran Bassil called for a review of his party’s 2006 agreement with Hezbollah. According to FPM’s political council, while the agreement had protected Lebanon from outside attacks and deterred Israel, it had not succeeded in reinforcing rule of law or building Lebanon.“Lebanon Free Patriotic Movement calls to review alliance with Hezbollah,” Middle East Monitor, February 8, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210208-lebanon-free-patriotic-movement-calls-to-review-alliance-with-hezbollah/. After almost nine months of failing to form a government, Hariri resigned as prime minister on July 15, 2021.Tamara Qiblawi, Ghazi Balkiz, and Ben Wedeman, “Lebanon’s Hariri steps down as prime minister-designate pushing crisis-ridden country further into uncertainty,” CNN, July 15, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/middleeast/hariri-resigns-lebanon-intl/index.html. Later that month, Hezbollah supported the parliamentary nomination of former prime minister Najib Mikati to be the new prime minister. Mikati pledged to form a government of technocrats, while Hezbollah claimed it would not stand in his way.Ben Hubbard, “Lebanon Turns to Billionaire Tycoon to Form Next Government,” New York Times, July 26, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/world/middleeast/lebanon-prime-minister-Najib-Mikati.html; “Former PM Najib Mikati named Lebanon's prime minister-designate,” Al-Monitor, July 26, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/07/former-pm-najib-mikati-named-lebanons-prime-minister-designate; “Lebanon’s PM-designate says he can form government to implement French plan,” Reuters, July 26, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-pm-designate-says-he-can-form-government-implement-french-plan-2021-07-26/. Lebanese leaders agreed on a new Mikati-led government on September 10, 2021.Maha El Dahan and Laila Bassam, “Lebanon agrees new government to tackle economic collapse,” Reuters, September 10, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-pm-designate-mikati-visiting-president-about-cabinet-source-2021-09-10/. Hezbollah nominated two ministers in the new 24-member government—Agriculture Minister Abbas Al Hajj Hassan and Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh. The Hezbollah-aligned Amal movement nominated Hezbollah member Moustafa Bayram as labor minister.“Who is in the new Lebanese Cabinet?,” National (Abu Dhabi), September 10, 2021, https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/2021/09/10/who-is-in-the-new-lebanese-cabinet/.
Despite the new government, Lebanon’s economic and social crises worsened by the end of 2021. In September 2021, Hezbollah called for the removal of Judge Tarek Bitar, who is heading a government investigation into the August 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion.Marc Daou, “Who is out to get the judge in charge of Lebanon port explosion probe?,” France 24, September 25, 2021, https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210925-who-is-out-to-get-judge-in-charge-of-lebanon-port-explosion-probe; Tamara Qiblawi, “Hezbollah threatened top judge probing Beirut port blast, source says,” CNN, September 23, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/middleeast/hezbollah-beirut-blast-probe-threat-intl/index.html. After Lebanese authorities issued an arrest warrant for U.S.-designated Hezbollah member and former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil that October, Hezbollah again called for Bitar’s replacement. The issue sparked violent protests in Beirut on October 14, which led to the deaths of seven people and accusations between Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces party over responsibility.“Beirut port probe suspended again as judge issues warrant for ex-minister,” Al-Monitor, October 12, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/10/beirut-port-probe-suspended-again-judge-issues-warrant-ex-minister; Kareem Chehayeb, “At least 6 killed, dozens wounded in gunfire near Beirut protest,” Al Jazeera, October 14, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/14/one-killed-beirut-hezbollah-protest; Sarah El Deeb and Bassem Mroue, “Lebanon buries 7 killed amid street battles over port probe,” Associated Press, October 15, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/business-middle-east-lebanon-beirut-civil-wars-f8f97ef21af6ecf2d7a272e5eec1c6dd; Maha El Dahan and Laila Bassam, “Hezbollah's Nasrallah says Beirut violence was a dangerous development,” Reuters, October 18, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-amal-movement-says-violence-aimed-reignite-internal-strife-2021-10-18/. Ministers from Hezbollah and its allied parties continued to boycott government meetings through 2021.Aya Iskandarani, “Beirut residents sue Hezbollah leaders over deadly clashes,” National (Abu Dhabi), December 23, 2021, https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/2021/12/23/beirut-residents-sue-hezbollah-leaders-over-deadly-clashes/.
In December 2021, Qassem blamed failures in Lebanon’s judiciary and parliament for the country’s ongoing political, economic, and social crises. With parliamentary elections scheduled for 2022, Qassem accused the United States and Persian Gulf countries of seeking to seize power in Lebanon and its parliament. He also accused Lebanese political parties seeking to weaken Hezbollah of working against “the liberation of Lebanon” in alliance with Israel and the United States.Seth J. Frantzman, “Hezbollah will seek greater control after 2022 elections,” Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/hezbollah-will-seek-greater-control-after-2022-elections-689095.
As the Lebanese government remained frozen at the beginning of January 2022, some Hezbollah allies began to question their alliances with the Iran-backed Shiite group. In a December 27, 2021, speech, Lebanese President Michel Aoun seemingly blamed Hezbollah for preventing the cabinet from convening. He did not specifically name Hezbollah, but called for an end to the "unjustified, deliberate and systematic blockage which dismantles the State and drives it to its demise.”Tzvi Joffre, “Lebanon’s Aoun expresses outrage as Hezbollah continues to block cabinet,” Jerusalem Post, December 28, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-689942. Also that week, FPM leader Gebran Bassil warned of “political consequences” against Hezbollah and Amal, sparking international speculation the FPM could end its alliance with Hezbollah.“Lebanon’s top Christian party signals possible end of Hezbollah alliance,” Reuters, December 23, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-top-christian-party-signals-possible-end-hezbollah-alliance-2021-12-23/. On January 2, 2022, Bassil condemned “the militia warlords and the leaders of corruption.”Najia Houssari, “Lebanon’s Bassil hits out at Hezbollah amid country’s political paralysis,” Arab News, January 2, 2022, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1996821/middle-east. He further criticized his movement’s 2006 alliance with Hezbollah for giving too much voice to parties with which FPM is not aligned—namely, the Hezbollah-allied Amal Party.“Lebanese Christian politician says alliance with Hezbollah imperiled,” Times of Israel, January 2, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/lebanese-christian-politician-says-alliance-with-hezbollah-imperiled/. On January 15, 2022, Hezbollah and Amal ended their three-month boycott of Lebanese cabinet meetings, allowing for the Lebanese government to meet.“Hezbollah, Amal end boycott of Lebanon's cabinet amid economic crisis,” Reuters, January 15, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-amal-end-boycott-lebanons-cabinet-amid-economic-crisis-2022-01-15/.
The prominence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in the Lebanese government has caused rifts between Lebanon and other Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia. Speaking with Saudi media on October 31, 2021, Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farha blamed the crisis in Lebanon on “the dominance of Iranian proxies over the scene.”Agence France-Presse, “Saudi Arabia: Dealing with Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon is ‘pointless,’” Times of Israel, October 31, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-arabia-dealing-with-hezbollah-dominated-lebanon-is-pointless/. The following day, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib rejected Saudi demands to reduce Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon. He told Reuters, “Hezbollah is a component of politics in Lebanon. It has a regional armed dimension, yes, but this is beyond what we can resolve.”Maha El Dahan and Laila Bassam, “Lebanon says it wants dialogue with Riyadh, not demands about Hezbollah,” Reuters, November 2, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-says-it-wants-dialogue-with-riyadh-not-demands-about-hezbollah-2021-11-02/. On November 3, the political bureau of Lebanon’s Kataeb party issued a statement blaming Lebanon’s rift with Saudi Arabia on the government’s “total surrender to the will of Hezbollah.”“Kataeb: We are paying the price of surrender to Hezbollah, priority to elections,” Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International, November 3, 2021, https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/lebanon-news/615548/kataeb-we-are-paying-the-price-of-surrender-to-hez/en.
Hezbollah’s influence over the Lebanese government has negatively impacted Lebanon’s relations with Europe as well. In June 2021, the European Union voted in favor of travel bans and asset freezes for Lebanese politicians accused of corruption and obstructing efforts to form a government, financial mismanagement, and human rights abuses. Some voices in the European Parliament viewed the formation of a government in September 2021 as an opportunity to loosen sanctions on Lebanon. However, the majority of the parliament voted on September 16, 2021, to maintain the pressure of sanctions against Lebanon until the new government proves itself to be functional. A majority of the parliament voted for the non-binding resolution recognizing Lebanon’s financial crisis is man-made and warning “the introduction of targeted sanctions for obstructing or undermining the democratic political process remains an option.”“EU lawmakers call for Lebanon sanctions if new government fails,” Reuters, September 16, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-lawmakers-call-lebanon-sanctions-if-new-government-fails-2021-09-16/. The resolution also recognized Hezbollah’s role in destabilizing Lebanon through the control of key ministries in the government, its terrorist designation by several EU member states, and Hezbollah’s ideological allegiance to Iran.“JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION pursuant to Rule 132(2) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure replacing the following motions: B9‑0465/2021 (Verts/ALE) B9‑0467/2021 (S&D) B9‑0468/2021 (ECR) B9‑0469/2021 (PPE) B9‑0470/2021 (Renew) on the situation in Lebanon (2021/2878(RSP)),” European Parliament, September 15, 2021, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2021-0465_EN.html.
In January 2022, Saad Hariri announced he would not run in the country’s upcoming May 15, 2022, parliamentary elections. Further, he called on his Future Movement not to run either.Tom Perry and Laila Bassam, “Lebanon’s Hariri steps away from politics, upending election landscape,” Reuters, January 24, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-hariri-expected-announce-election-boycott-party-members-say-2022-01-24/. The decision raised fears in Lebanon of a “political void” for Sunni representation. Lebanese voters and international observers also expressed fears of Hezbollah—and Iran—gaining greater influence in the Lebanese government.Kareem Chehayeb, “Hariri’s absence leaves Sunni voters unsure ahead of Lebanon poll,” Al Jazeera, May 4, 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/4/lebanon-sunni-vote; Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam, “A rival sits out Lebanon's election. Now Hezbollah could fill the void,” Reuters, May 9, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/rival-sits-out-lebanons-election-now-hezbollah-could-fill-void-2022-05-09/. Following Lebanon’s May 15, 2022, parliamentary elections, Hezbollah maintained its 13 seats in the legislative body, but its allied political bloc lost its 65-seat majority as approximately one dozen independents won seats.Ben Hubbard, “Hezbollah Loses Majority Bloc in Lebanon Election, Results Show,” New York Times, May 17, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/world/middleeast/lebanon-election-hezbollah.html. Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri, head of the Amal party, won reelection as parliamentary speaker on May 31, but by only a 65-vote majority. In 2018, he received 98 votes.Stephanie Rady, “Nabih Berri re-elected as Lebanon's Parliament Speaker,” Anadolu Agency, May 31, 2022, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/nabih-berri-re-elected-as-lebanons-parliament-speaker/2602054. The Christian Forces Party won 19 seats, including one by an affiliated independent. Following the parliamentary elections, Christian Forces Party head Samir Geagea told Agence France-Presse, “All strategic decision-making should return to the Lebanese state... and security and military matters should be handled exclusively by the Lebanese army.”Agence France-Presse, “Hezbollah grip on Lebanon must end, says Christian leader,” France 24, May 21, 2022, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220521-hezbollah-grip-on-lebanon-must-end-says-christian-leader. While the Christian Forces Party’s alliance did not win an outright majority, Hezbollah opponents reportedly viewed the reduced showing of Hezbollah and its allies as a possible opportunity to extricate the Iran-backed terror group from control over Lebanese politics.Hussain Abdul-Hussain, “Lebanon Has an Opposition Movement Again,” Foreign Policy, May 31, 2022, https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/05/31/lebanon-election-hezbollah-opposition/.
Nonetheless, Lebanon’s government remained in a political stalemate by the beginning of December 2022.“Lebanese cabinet to meet after long hiatus, financial reforms not on agenda,” Reuters, December 2, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanese-cabinet-meet-after-long-hiatus-financial-reforms-not-agenda-2022-12-02/. Further complicating Lebanon’s political crisis, President Michel Aoun’s term concluded in October 2022. Lebanon’s parliament is responsible for electing a new president, but the division between Hezbollah’s allies and opponents left the role unfilled. In November 2022, Nasrallah called for the next president to be a politician who would “reassure” Hezbollah.Bassem Mroue, “Amid crisis, Hezbollah seeks ally in next Lebanese president,” Associated Press, November 11, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/iran-lebanon-united-states-michel-aoun-hassan-nasrallah-c805d916c91687f6cc7b3710995b88ca. After the parliament failed in its eighth attempt to elect a president on December 1, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem declared his group would not support a president who would be subservient to the United States or Israel.“Hezbollah won’t accept new Lebanese president subservient to US, Israeli regime,” Press TV, December 2, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/12/02/693771/Hezbollah-won%E2%80%99t-accept-new-president-who-would-give-into-US-Israeli-projects--Top-official.
In March 2023, Hezbollah announced its support for pro-Syria Christian politician Sleiman Frangieh to become the country’s next president. Frangieh is a former Lebanese minister and reportedly a friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Nasrallah called him the “natural candidate.”Timour Azhari and Laila Bassam, “Lebanon’s Hezbollah backs Christian politician Frangieh for presidency,” Reuters, March 6, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-hezbollah-backs-christian-politician-frangieh-presidency-2023-03-06/. Lebanon’s government remained frozen as of the beginning of June 2023 when a group of 32 Christian and independent legislators endorsed International Monetary Fund official Jihad Azour for the presidency.Agence France-Presse, “Lebanon Presidential Nominee Temporarily Steps Away From IMF Role,” Barron’s, June 8, 2023, https://www.barrons.com/news/lebanon-presidential-nominee-temporarily-steps-away-from-imf-role-148fb203.
The Shura Council is Hezbollah’s central leadership body. Initially, the Shura Council appointed a secretary-general to lead the group for a three-year term. However, after the Council elected Hassan Nasrallah in 1993, it allowed him and future secretaries-general to exceed two consecutive terms.Casey L. Addis and Christopher M. Blanchard, “Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service, January 3, 2011, 10, https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R41446.pdf. The Shura Council also oversees Hezbollah’s five separate assemblies: the political assembly, jihad assembly, parliamentary assembly, executive assembly, and judicial assembly.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155.
The External Security Organization, a.k.a. the Islamic Jihad Organization, is Hezbollah’s foreign operations organ. This is the Hezbollah unit responsible for Hezbollah’s international acts of terrorism.“State Department Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Hizballah and al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of State, June 21, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/06/272090.htm#.WUqE1W_VmNs.twitter.
The Foreign Relations Department (FRD) is responsible for Hezbollah’s global outreach efforts. The State Department designated the FRD as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in January 2017. According to the State Department, the FRD “is involved in covert operations around the globe, which include recruiting, fundraising and gathering intelligence on behalf of” Hezbollah.”“State Department Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Hizballah and al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of State, June 21, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/06/272090.htm#.WUqE1W_VmNs.twitter.
Hezbollah is represented in the Lebanese government by the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc. Hezbollah first entered Lebanon’s parliament in 1992, winning eight of 128 seats in the country’s first elections since 1972.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155; Dalal Saoud, “Hezbollah claims election win in Lebanon,” United Press International, August 24, 1992, http://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/08/24/Hezbollah-claims-election-win-in-Lebanon/9335714628800/. Hezbollah’s political party has since played a major role in Lebanon’s governing coalitions since 2008. Following the election of Hezbollah ally Michel Aoun as president in October 2016, two Hezbollah parliamentarians and 15 Hezbollah political allies were appointed to Lebanon’s 30-minister government.“Lebanon forms new government, vows to ‘preserve stability,’” Deutsche-Welle, December 19, 2016, http://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-forms-new-government-vows-to-preserve-stability/a-36819862; See Appendix A.
While the United States has designated Hezbollah as a whole as a terrorist entity, the European Union has separated Hezbollah’s political party and designated only Hezbollah’s military wing.James Kanter and Jodi Rudoren, “European Union Adds Military Wing of Hezbollah to List of Terrorist Organizations,” New York Times, July 22, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/world/middleeast/european-union-adds-hezbollah-wing-to-terror-list.html. In response to the EU’s 2013 designation of Hezbollah’s so-called military wing, Hezbollah spokesman said, “Hezbollah is a single, large organization. We have no wings that are separate from one another.”Benjamin Weinthal, “EU refuses to outlaw the entire Hezbollah terrorist entity,” Jerusalem Post, November 1, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/international/eu-refuses-to-outlaw-the-entire-hezbollah-terrorist-entity-683671. The Dutch government has designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and has urged the EU to do the same. In early 2018, a group of 60 European parliamentarians, led by MPs from Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary, wrote to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini that Hezbollah should be designated in its entirety.Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “Dutch FM urges EU to place Hezbollah on terror group list,” Times of Israel, September 7, 2012, https://www.timesofisrael.com/dutch-fm-urges-eu-to-place-hezbollah-on-terror-group-list/; Benjamin Weinthal, “EU Parliament Politicians Call for a Full Ban of Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, February 23, 2018, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/EU-parliament-politicians-call-for-a-full-ban-of-Hezbollah-543447. The United Kingdom designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization in 2019 and added Hezbollah as a whole to its Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in January 2020.“Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK, GOV.UK, last updated January 20, 2020, https://ofsistorage.blob.core.windows.net/publishlive/ConList.html; Michael Holden, “Britain to expand ban on Lebanon's Hezbollah, calling it terrorist group,” Reuters, February 25, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lebanon-hezbollah/britain-to-expand-ban-on-lebanons-hezbollah-calling-it-terrorist-group-idUSKCN1QE1D2. A December 2019 resolution in the German parliament recognized Hezbollah’s global criminal activities and called for both Germany and Europe to freeze all of Hezbollah’s finances by banning the group in its entirety.David Rising, “German parliament calls for full ban of Hezbollah activities,” Associated Press, December 19, 2019, https://apnews.com/45c48fdda55ce0d18d2cc03149e08297. Germany designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization on April 30, 2020.“After U.S., Israeli pressure, Germany bans Hezbollah activity, raids mosques,” Reuters, April 30, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-lebanon-hezbollah/after-us-israeli-pressure-germany-bans-hezbollah-activity-raids-mosques-idUSKBN22C0LC.
In March 2020, Austria began a trial of a Hezbollah commander who had lived in the country for 13 years while conducting financing operations for the terror group. The trial led all of Austria’s political parties to pass a joint resolution in the federal parliament that month entitled “Effective action against Hezbollah,” calling for “decisive action” against Hezbollah’s “terrorist and criminal activities.”Benjamin Weinthal, “Austrian parliament urges chancellor clamp down on Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, March 15, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/International/Austrian-parliament-urges-chancellor-clamp-down-on-Hezbollah-621044. Nonetheless, the resolution stopped short of calling for a complete ban of the group, despite calls from some within parliament. Austria banned Hezbollah in its entirety in May 2021.Benjamin Weinthal, “Austrian parliament urges chancellor clamp down on Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, March 15, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/International/Austrian-parliament-urges-chancellor-clamp-down-on-Hezbollah-621044;Lahav Harkov, “Austria outlaws Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/austria-outlaws-lebanese-terrorist-group-hezbollah-668096.
The EU, however, has thus far refused to ban Hezbollah as a singular organization. In July 2021, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced legislation calling on the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.“Hezbollah will nip any Zionist move in the bud: IRGC chief,” Tehran Times, July 26, 2021, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/463436/Hezbollah-will-nip-any-Zionist-move-in-the-bud-IRGC-chief. On November 1, 2021, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Policy Peter Stano told the Jerusalem Post that the EU had already designated Hezbollah’s military wing and “[a]ny changes in the nature and scope of the existing listing are for EU Member States to discuss and decide by unanimity.”Benjamin Weinthal, “EU refuses to outlaw the entire Hezbollah terrorist entity,” Jerusalem Post, November 1, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/international/eu-refuses-to-outlaw-the-entire-hezbollah-terrorist-entity-683671.
There is no distinction between Hezbollah’s political and military wings. Both are subservient to the Shura Council, led by Nasrallah. A 2011 Congressional Research Service report identified Hezbollah’s “unified leadership structure that oversees the organization’s complementary, partially compartmentalized elements.”Casey L. Addis and Christopher M. Blanchard, “Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service, January 3, 2011, 10, https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R41446.pdf. Hezbollah’s leadership has confirmed Hezbollah’s unitary leadership that informs both its militants and its politicians. In a 2000 interview with a Lebanese newspaper, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said that “Hezbollah’s secretary-general is the head of the Shura Council and also the head of the Jihad Council, and this means that we have one leadership, with one administration.”Matthew Levitt, “On a Military Wing and a Prayer,” Foreign Affairs, February 12, 2013, http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/02/12/on-a-military-wing-and-a-prayer/.
Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and remains the Lebanese terror group’s primary financial backer. Nonetheless, Hezbollah has developed multiple and varied sources of financial support. The U.S. government’s Rewards for Justice program offers a standing reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of Hezbollah’s financial mechanisms.“Rewards for Justice – Up to $10 Million Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah’s Financial Networks: Muhammad Qasir, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, and Ali Qasir,” U.S. Department of State, October 23, 2020, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-up-to-10-million-reward-offer-for-information-on-hizballahs-financial-networks-muhammad-qasir-muhammad-qasim-al-bazzal-and-ali-qasir/.
The Iranian government supplies the vast majority of Hezbollah’s income. According to the U.S. Treasury’s Under-Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker in June 2018, Iran provides Hezbollah with up to $700 million annually, more than three times previous estimates.Joyce Karam, “Iran pays Hezbollah $700 million a year, says US official,” The National, June 5, 2018, https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/iran-pays-hezbollah-700-million-a-year-says-us-official-1.737347. Iran helped develop the organization to boost its own “ability to deploy armed revolutionaries among the [Shiite] strongholds” in Lebanon, according to analyst Anoushiravan Ehteshami. During the Iran-Iraq War, Iran viewed Hezbollah as its opportunity to gain access to the wider Arab world.Anoushiravan Ehteshami, “The Foreign Policy of Iran,” The Foreign Policies of Middle East States (Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002), 298. The IRGC provided Hezbollah with its initial financial support and training.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155.
Iranian financial and military support is largely passed to Hezbollah through the Quds Force, the elite branch of the IRGC.Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah Finances: Funding the Party of God,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, February 2005, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/hezbollah-finances-funding-the-party-of-god. The U.S. Department of Defense estimated in 2010 that Iran provides Hezbollah with $100 million to $200 million annually.Greg Bruno, “State Sponsors: Iran,” Council on Foreign Relations, October 13, 2011, http://www.cfr.org/iran/state-sponsors-iran/p9362. Iran allegedly provided up to $600 million to Hezbollah for its political campaigns, and Israeli intelligence estimated that Iran had directly provided Hezbollah with more than $1 billion from the end of the 2006 war to 2009.Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah: Party of Fraud,” Foreign Affairs, July 27, 2011, http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67997/matthew-levitt/hezbollah-party-of-fraud. In 2004, Mohammed Raad, then-leader of Hezbollah’s “Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc” in the Lebanese parliament, acknowledged that Hezbollah had received funding from Iran for “health care, education and support of war widows.”Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah Finances: Funding the Party of God,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, February 2005, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/hezbollah-finances-funding-the-party-of-god.
To help facilitate the transfer of funds to Hezbollah and its other proxies, Iran set up the Martyrs Foundation charitable network. According to the United States, senior members of the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon were directly involved in Hezbollah operations during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The U.S. government accuses the Martyrs Foundation funneling money to Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terror groups in the Levant. The Martyrs Foundation also created the Goodwill Charitable Organization (GCO), a fundraising office in Dearborn, Michigan, that acted as a Hezbollah front organization and reported to the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. The U.S. government designated both the Martyrs Foundation and GCO in July 2007.“Twin Treasury Actions Take Aim at Hizballah’s Support Network,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 24, 2007, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp503.aspx. In February 2020, the U.S. government imposed financial sanctions on three Lebanese individuals and 12 entities affiliated with or controlled by the Martyrs Foundation.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
In 2009—due to the devastating effects on the Iranian economy resulting from international sanctions because of its nuclear program—Iran reportedly cut Hezbollah’s budget by as much as 40 percent.Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah: Party of Fraud,” Foreign Affairs, July 27, 2011, http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67997/matthew-levitt/hezbollah-party-of-fraud. Hezbollah turned to its already thriving criminal enterprises to make up the shortfall.
In June 2016, Nasrallah denied that Hezbollah has any outside business ventures or sources of income other than Iran. “We are open about the fact that Hezbollah’s budget, its income, its expenses, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, come from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said in a publicly broadcasted speech.Majid Rafizadeh, “In first, Hezbollah confirms all financial support comes from Iran,” Al Arabiya English, June 25, 2016, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2016/06/25/In-first-Hezbollah-s-Nasrallah-confirms-all-financial-support-comes-from-Iran.html. In response to U.S. financial sanctions, Nasrallah warned that “[as long] as Iran has money, we have money… Just as we receive the rockets that we use to threaten Israel, we are receiving our money. No law will prevent us from receiving it.”Agence France-Presse, “Hezbollah brushes off US sanctions, says money comes via Iran,” Times of Israel, June 25, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-brushes-off-us-sanctions-says-money-comes-via-iran/.
Hezbollah was reportedly forced to cut its budget in 2019 in response to decreased funding from Iran as a result of renewed U.S. sanctions on that country in 2018. According to reports from Hezbollah members, fighters are being reassigned or furloughed at reduced or no salaries. Hezbollah’s al-Manar media group in Lebanon also reportedly laid off staff and canceled programming.Liz Sly and Suzan Haidamous, “Trump’s sanctions on Iran are hitting Hezbollah, and it hurts,” Washington Post, May 18, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/trumps-sanctions-on-iran-are-hitting-hezbollah-hard/2019/05/18/970bc656-5d48-11e9-98d4-844088d135f2_story.html?utm_term=.ae622466c555.
In October 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions designated Hezbollah as a top transnational criminal threat.“Attorney General Sessions Announces New Measures to Fight Transnational Organized Crime,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 15, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-sessions-announces-new-measures-fight-transnational-organized-crime. Contrary to Nasrallah’s declarations that Hezbollah has no sources of income other than Iran,Majid Rafizadeh, “In first, Hezbollah confirms all financial support comes from Iran,” Al Arabiya English, June 25, 2016, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2016/06/25/In-first-Hezbollah-s-Nasrallah-confirms-all-financial-support-comes-from-Iran.html. the group is active in illicit transnational criminal activities, primarily in South America’s Tri-Border Area (TBA). These activities include drug trafficking, intellectual property theft, and money laundering. Additionally, many Muslims and Lebanese ex-patriates in the region send money to Hezbollah. According to a mosque leader in Cuidad del Este, Paraguay, Shiite mosques had “an obligation to finance” Hezbollah. Counterterrorism expert Edward Luttwak of the Pentagon’s National Security Study Group called the TBA Hezbollah’s most important base outside of Lebanon.Pablo Gato and Robert Windrem, “Hezbollah Builds a Western Base,” NBC News, May 9, 2007, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17874369/ns/world_news-americas/t/hezbollah-builds-western-base/#.VMkczWTF_Bs. Hezbollah receives approximately $20 million a year from its activities in Latin America, according to a 2009 Rand Corporation report.Arthur Brice, “Iran, Hezbollah Mine Latin America for Revenue, Recruits, Analysts Say,” CNN, June 3, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/world/americas/iran-latin-america/index.html. “The money is used to maintain a military structure and finance social activities … in Lebanon and the diaspora,” according to analyst Paulo Botta of the Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies in Córdoba, Argentina.Eduardo Szklarz and Ayoub Khaddaj, “Hizbullah Uses Criminal Activity to Finance Operations,” Central Asia Online, September 17, 2013, http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/features/main/2013/09/17/feature-02?format=mobile&mobile=true.
Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the drug trade, and Nasrallah has publicly stated it is “religiously banned to manufacture, sell, buy, smuggle and consume” drugs.Quentin Sommerville, “Hezbollah denies any role in production of amphetamines,” BBC News, January 9, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55602726. Nonetheless, regional analysts and legal authorities accuse Hezbollah of profiting from international drug smuggling. According to a 1994 FBI report, Hezbollah’s religious authorities ruled drug trafficking was “morally acceptable if the drugs are sold to Western infidels as part of a war against the enemies of Islam.”Joby Warrick and Souad Mekhennet, “Hezbollah operatives seen behind spike in drug trafficking, analysts say,” Washington Post, August 4, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/hezbollah-operatives-seen-behind-spike-in-drug-trafficking-analysts-say/2020/08/03/fa286b1a-d36a-11ea-8c55-61e7fa5e82ab_story.html. A June 2020 Europol report accused Hezbollah of “trafficking diamonds and drugs” and laundering the proceeds while using Europe as a base.Joby Warrick and Souad Mekhennet, “Hezbollah operatives seen behind spike in drug trafficking, analysts say,” Washington Post, August 4, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/hezbollah-operatives-seen-behind-spike-in-drug-trafficking-analysts-say/2020/08/03/fa286b1a-d36a-11ea-8c55-61e7fa5e82ab_story.html. Hezbollah is accused of manufacturing and exporting the amphetamine Captagon in particular.Quentin Sommerville, “Hezbollah denies any role in production of amphetamines,” BBC News, January 9, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55602726.
Hezbollah is also suspected of coopting the Lebanese export industry to serve its smuggling activities. According to Saudi security expert Muhammad al-Qubban, 75 percent of the shipments that Lebanon sends to the Gulf contain drugs or weapons and other prohibited items.Media Line, “Hezbollah exported drugs, weapons, with Lebanon government knowledge,” Jerusalem Post, April 29, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/experts-hezbollah-exports-drugs-weapons-lebanon-government-knowledge-666654. In July 2020, Italian authorities seized $1.1 billion worth of Captagon pills arriving at an Italian port from Syria. Though Italian authorities initially suspected ISIS of responsibility for the drugs, the quantity raised suspicions of other groups with larger production capabilities.Joby Warrick and Souad Mekhennet, “Hezbollah operatives seen behind spike in drug trafficking, analysts say,” Washington Post, August 4, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/hezbollah-operatives-seen-behind-spike-in-drug-trafficking-analysts-say/2020/08/03/fa286b1a-d36a-11ea-8c55-61e7fa5e82ab_story.html. In April 2021, Saudi authorities seized more than 5 million Captagon pills hidden in a pomegranate shipment from Lebanon. In response, Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on Lebanese produce.“Lebanon urges Saudi Arabia to reconsider ban on produce,” Associated Press, April 26, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-saudi-arabia-financial-markets-business-middle-east-5b08626e5a7419d9e0175be14da8ca72; “Lebanon asks Saudi Arabia to reconsider ban on its produce,” Reuters, April 26, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanese-president-calls-effort-against-drug-smuggling-after-saudi-ban-2021-04-26/; “ISF arrests three men linked to drug shipment to Saudi,” Daily Star (Beirut), April 27, 2021, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2021/Apr-27/519671-isf-arrests-three-men-linked-to-drug-shipment-to-saudi.ashx. Sources told regional media there was no doubt Hezbollah was responsible.Rawad Taha, “Hezbollah behind shipment of seized Captagon in Saudi Arabia: Independent Persian,” Al-Arabiya, April 25, 2021, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/04/25/Hezbollah-behind-shipment-of-seized-Captagon-in-Saudi-Arabia-Independent-Persian.
Hezbollah has established a global network for moving cocaine in the United States and Europe, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Law enforcement refers to this network as “the Lebanese Hizballah External Security Organization Business Affairs Component (BAC).” It was founded by deceased Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah. The network maintains business relationships with South American drug cartels and launders proceeds in what is known as the Black Market Peso Exchange. La Oficina de Envigado is one of the South American cartels involved with the BAC. It is responsible for the movement of large amounts of cocaine in the United States and Europe. The DEA has targeted the BAC network since early 2015 in an ongoing operation called Project Cassandra. In February 2016, the DEA revealed it had made several arrests in Hezbollah’s drug-trafficking operation.Rosie Perper, “DEA uncovers major drug trafficking by Hezbollah to fund global terrorism,” Jerusalem Post, February 2, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/DEA-uncovers-major-drug-trafficking-by-Hezbollah-to-fund-global-terrorism-443575;
“DEA and European Authorities Uncover Massive Hizballah Drug and Money Laundering Scheme,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, February 1, 2016, http://www.dea.gov/divisions/hq/2016/hq020116.shtml. In October 2016, the DEA charged three suspected Hezbollah members with using Miami banks to launder $500,000 in cocaine money for a Colombian drug cartel.David Ovalle, “State: Hezbollah-linked group laundered drug money through Miami banks,” Miami Herald, October 11, 2016, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article107366182.html.
Hezbollah utilizes multiple front companies in and around the Middle East to facilitate the flow of money to the terror group from various sources, including the IRGC. In 2018, for example, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on two individuals—Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal and Ali Qasir—accused of heading international front companies that finance transactions between Hezbollah and the IRGC.“Treasury Designates Illicit Russia-Iran Oil Network Supporting the Assad Regime, Hizballah, and HAMAS,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 20, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm553. Bazzal is co-founder of the Syria-based Talaqi Group and a key financier for Hezbollah and the IRGC-Quds Force, Iran’s primary link to Hezbollah and its other terrorist proxies. Qasir is the managing director of the Talaqi Group. Since 2018, Bazzal has used the Talaqi Group and his other companies to facilitate illicit oil shipments for the Quds Force.“Rewards for Justice – Up to $10 Million Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah’s Financial Networks: Muhammad Qasir, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, and Ali Qasir,” U.S. Department of State, October 23, 2020, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-up-to-10-million-reward-offer-for-information-on-hizballahs-financial-networks-muhammad-qasir-muhammad-qasim-al-bazzal-and-ali-qasir/.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Iran has created an international network working with Russian companies to provide millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government. Syria then facilitates the movement of hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars to the IRGC, which distributes the money to Hezbollah and Hamas. OFAC accuses the IRGC of using the Central Bank of Syria to coordinate financial transfers with Hezbollah. U.S.-designated Hezbollah official Muhammad Qasir heads the Hezbollah unit responsible for facilitating the transfer of weapons, technology, and other support from Syria to Lebanon. According to the U.S. State Department, Qasir is a “critical link” between Iran and Hezbollah.“Rewards for Justice – Up to $10 Million Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah’s Financial Networks: Muhammad Qasir, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, and Ali Qasir,” U.S. Department of State, October 23, 2020, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-up-to-10-million-reward-offer-for-information-on-hizballahs-financial-networks-muhammad-qasir-muhammad-qasim-al-bazzal-and-ali-qasir/.
South American authorities have also targeted Hezbollah for various illicit activities on the continent. In May 2013, Brazilian police arrested Hezbollah member Hamzi Ahmad Barakat on suspicion of defrauding newly arrived Lebanese immigrants through a network of front companies. In 2002, police arrested Barakat’s brother, Assad Barakat, for using his electronics store to raise funds for Hezbollah.Simon Romero, “Man Linked by U.S. to Hezbollah Is Arrested in Brazil,” New York Times, May 20, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/americas/man-linked-by-us-to-hezbollah-is-arrested-in-brazil.html. In 2008, Colombian authorities arrested members of a drug cartel that allegedly smuggled cocaine to the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, while laundering hundreds of millions of dollars and sending a percentage to Hezbollah.Chris Kraul and Sebastian Rotella, “Drug Probe Finds Hezbollah Link,” Los Angeles Times, October 22, 2008, http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/22/world/fg-cocainering22.
Hezbollah’s criminal activities have also penetrated North America. In 2000, U.S. federal authorities charged 18 people with smuggling cigarettes from North Carolina into Michigan, where cigarettes command higher prices because of higher taxes. According to authorities, the smugglers had been sending their profits to Hezbollah since 1996.“18 Accused of Cigarette Smuggling to Fund Hezbollah,” Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2000,http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jul/22/news/mn-57451. In 2002, authorities convicted the smuggling ring’s leaders, brothers Muhammad and Chawki Hammoud, of cigarette smuggling, credit card fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.“Two Guilty of Smuggling for Hezbollah,” BBC News, June 22, 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2059052.stm.
In August 2012, U.S. authorities seized $150 million from the Lebanese Canadian Bank, which they accused of laundering money from an international car smuggling ring that raised money for Hezbollah.“US Seizes $150M from Lebanon Bank in Hezbollah Money Laundering Probe,” Reuters, August 21, 2012, http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/21/13388390-us-seizes-150m-from-lebanon-bank-in-hezbollah-money-laundering-probe. In July 2014, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a network of companies in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and China for allegedly procuring engines, communications equipment, and navigation equipment for Hezbollah from U.S., European, Canadian, and Asian companies.Jay Solomon, “U.S. Sanctions Companies for Ties to Hezbollah,” Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2014, http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sanctions-companies-for-ties-to-hezbollah-network-1405000897.
In western Africa, Hezbollah has reportedly involved itself in the illegal conflict diamond trade while using the region as a transit hub to move drugs from the Middle East to South America.“Hezbollah: International Terrorist and Paramilitary Organization,” United Against Nuclear Iran, accessed May 1, 2018, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/hezbollah-iran-proxy. In 2004, U.S. diplomats in Sierra Leone accused Hezbollah of threatening Lebanese diamond merchants in order to siphon off profits from the diamond trade.“Jewels called blood money for Hezbollah,” Washington Times, June 30, 2004, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/jun/30/20040630-100012-9442r/. A Hezbollah courier on board an airliner that crashed near Benin in December 2003 was reportedly carrying $2 million in profits from the illegal trade.Matthew Levitt, “Hizbullah's African Activities Remain Undisrupted,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, March 1, 2004, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/hizbullahs-african-activities-remain-undisrupted.
Hezbollah is also active in Europe. In March 2020, Austria began a trial of a Hezbollah commander who had lived in the country for 13 years while conducting financing operations for the terror group.Benjamin Weinthal, “Hezbollah commander prosecuted in Austria for terror finance,” Jerusalem Post, March 15, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/International/Hezbollah-commander-prosecuted-in-Austria-for-terror-finance-620968. The trial led all of Austria’s political parties to pass a joint resolution in the federal parliament that month entitled “Effective action against Hezbollah,” calling for “decisive action” against Hezbollah’s “terrorist and criminal activities.”Benjamin Weinthal, “Austrian parliament urges chancellor clamp down on Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, March 15, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/International/Austrian-parliament-urges-chancellor-clamp-down-on-Hezbollah-621044. A December 2019 resolution in the German parliament also recognized Hezbollah’s global criminal activities and called for both Germany and Europe to freeze all of Hezbollah’s finances by banning the group in its entirety.David Rising, “German parliament calls for full ban of Hezbollah activities,” Associated Press, December 19, 2019, https://apnews.com/45c48fdda55ce0d18d2cc03149e08297. In June 2020, police in Italy seized 14 tonnes of Captagon amphetamine pills being shipped into the country from Syria. Captagon production initially centered around Lebanon. The drug is popular among Middle Eastern terror groups such as Hezbollah and ISIS, which sell it to finance their terror activities. The drugs seized in Italy were reportedly worth around 1 billion euros.Angelo Amante, “Italian police seize record amount of amphetamines shipped from Syria,” Syria, July 1, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-drugs/italian-police-seize-record-amount-of-amphetamines-shipped-from-syria-idUSKBN2425EG. Police traced the drugs back to Syria to Latakia, an area under the control of the Assad government and known as a hub for Hezbollah smuggling. Investigators did not conclusively prove Hezbollah’s involvement in the Italian shipment but reportedly considered it to be likely.Joby Warrick and Souad Mekhennet, “Hezbollah operatives seen behind spike in drug trafficking, analysts say,” Washington Post, August 4, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/hezbollah-operatives-seen-behind-spike-in-drug-trafficking-analysts-say/2020/08/03/fa286b1a-d36a-11ea-8c55-61e7fa5e82ab_story.html?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1415687_. Hezbollah continues to deny any involvement in the illegal drug trade.
On June 29-30, 2022, the U.S. Department of State organized the annual meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group, a U.S. initiative to mobilize countries to counter Hezbollah’s activities outside of Lebanon in order to block its terror, finance, and procurement networks. The meeting in Europe drew diplomats, law enforcement officers, and intelligence experts from 30 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates. A State Department official said the United States wants to impress on other nations how Hezbollah continues to expand its illicit activities despite economic slowdowns in Lebanon and Iran. The 2022 conference largely focused on Hezbollah’s operations in Africa and Latin America, where Hezbollah is seeking alternate finances and resources.Barak Ravid, “30 countries took part in U.S.-led meeting on countering Hezbollah,” Axios, July 13, 2022, https://www.axios.com/2022/07/13/30-countries-meet-counter-hezbollah-influence; “Ninth Meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group Focused on Countering Hizballah’s Terrorist Activities,” U.S. Department of State, July 1, 2022, https://www.state.gov/ninth-meeting-of-the-law-enforcement-coordination-group-focused-on-countering-hizballahs-terrorist-activities/.
The Lebanese ex-patriate community reportedly sends $2.5 billion back to Lebanon annually. Shiite Lebanese ex-patriates have found themselves subjects of suspicion because of Hezbollah’s use of their community. Some 400,000 Lebanese ex-patriates live in the Arab Gulf countries. In February 2016, Saudi Arabia expelled more than 90 Lebanese Shiites accused of ties to Hezbollah.Joseph A. Kechichian, “Saudi Arabia blacklists firms, expels several Lebanese nations,” Gulf News, February 26, 2016, http://gulfnews.com/news/mena/lebanon/saudi-arabia-blacklists-firms-expels-several-lebanese-nationals-1.1679947. The following month, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates expelled some 100 Lebanese Shiite ex-patriates.Sami Aboudi, “Lebanese expats fearful as Gulf expels dozens accused of Hezbollah links,” Reuters, April 8, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-hezbollah-lebanon-idUSKCN0X51R2. In July 2019, the intelligence agency of the German city of Hamburg revealed that 30 mosques and cultural centers in Germany have ties to Hezbollah, and these associations largely focus on raising money from Lebanese ex-patriates. German intelligence cited 1,050 Hezbollah supporters across the country.Benjamin Weinthal, “Terrorist Group Hezbollah Linked to 30 Mosques/Centers in Germany,” Jerusalem Post, July 14, 2019, https://www.jpost.com/International/Islamic-Terrorism/Terrorist-group-Hezbollah-linked-to-30-mosquescenters-in-Germany-595545. On July 13, 2019, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell accused Hezbollah of “hunting for money in Europe.”Richard Grenell, Twitter post, July 13, 2019, 6:50 a.m., https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/1149994395774701568.
In 2012, the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security reported that the majority of Hezbollah-linked federal defendants “have been Lebanese nationals or naturalized U.S. citizens from Lebanon.”“MAJORITY PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS Iran, Hezbollah and the Threat to the Homeland,” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, March 21, 2012, https://homeland.house.gov/files/Investigative_Findings_Iran_Hezbollah_Threat.pdf. U.S. officials have accused Hezbollah of using Lebanese Shiite expatriates to negotiate contracts with Mexican crime bosses in order to use Mexican drug routes to smuggle people and contraband into the United States.“EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah Uses Mexican Drug Routes into U.S.,” Washington Times, March 27, 2009, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/27/hezbollah-uses-mexican-drug-routes-into-us/. In 2008, Mexican authorities sentenced Lebanese-Mexican Salim Boughader Mucharrafille to 60 years in prison for smuggling some 200 Lebanese immigrants—including Hezbollah supporters—into the United States.Associated Press, “Mexico sentences migrant smuggler to 60 years,” Fox News, December 28, 2008, http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lt-mexico-us-smuggler-122808-2008dec28-story.html. Among those Boughader smuggled into the country was Mahmoud Youssef Kourani, a Lebanese carpenter who admitted to raising $40,000 for Hezbollah inside the United States. In 2005, Kourani received a four-and-a-half-year sentence for conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization.Associated Press, “The terror-immigration connection,” NBC News, July 3, 2005, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8408009/ns/us_news-security/t/terror-immigration-connection/#.WWz2W4Tyu70.
According to the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council, members of Côte d’Ivoire’s large Lebanese community are also “known to provide financial support to Hezbollah.”“Cote d’Ivoire 2015 Crime and Safety Report,” U.S. Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council, January 29, 2015, https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17008. A 2014 study by the Institute for Security Studies in Africa found that Lebanese communities in Côte d’Ivoire are a “prime target in Hezbollah’s efforts to collect additional financial resources.”“Is Côte d’Ivoire facing religious radicalism?” Institute for Security Studies, July 2015, https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/WestAfricaReport13ENG.pdf. In the United States, authorities arrested naturalized U.S. citizen Ali Kourani in June 2017 for providing material support to Hezbollah.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic. Kourani believes that Hezbollah recruited him in 2008 because he had U.S. residency, and Hezbollah then encouraged him to attain citizenship.“United States of America v. Ali Kourani,” U.S. Department of Justice May 31, 2017, 12, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972421/download.
German intelligence has identified 1,050 Hezbollah supporters in the country. In July 2020, German authorities alleged 50 members of the Al-Mustafa Community Center in Bremen were “involved in the financial support” of Hezbollah by sending funds to Lebanese families of deceased Hezbollah fighters. Al-Mustafa was one of the centers German authorities raided in April 2020 in conjunction with Germany’s full ban of Hezbollah.Benjamin Weinthal, “German Hezbollah members send funds to Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists,” Jerusalem Post, July 18, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/international/german-hezbollah-members-send-funds-to-lebanese-hezbollah-terrorists-635433. Bremen’s intelligence service initially accused members of the center in 2018 of fundraising on behalf of Hezbollah. Germany had previously shut down the Lebanon Orphan Children Project in 2014 for sending money to the families of deceased Hezbollah fighters.Benjamin Weinthal, “Exclusive: German Islamic center raises money for Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, June 22, 2018, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/exclusive-german-islamic-center-raises-money-for-hezbollah-560604. Bremen shut down the Mustafa center on March 17, 2022.Benjamin Weinthal, “Germany shuts Hezbollah entity promoting terrorism against Israel,” Jerusalem Post, March 18, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/international/article-701705.
Lebanese ex-patriates also aid in Hezbollah’s prolific criminal activities in South America. In Venezuela, for example, the Lebanese-Venezuelan Akil Rada clan runs a diverse array of businesses across the continent and transfers large sums of money from its profits to Hezbollah. The family’s head, U.S.-designated Hezbollah operative Amer Akil Rada, is suspected in Hezbollah’s 1992 attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Hezbollah’s 1994 attack on the AMIA in Buenos Aires.Joseph M. Humire, “The Maduro-Hezbollah Nexus: How Iran-backed Networks Prop up the Venezuelan Regime,” Atlantic Council, October 2020, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/the-maduro-hezbollah-nexus-how-iran-backed-networks-prop-up-the-venezuelan-regime/. Akil Rada reportedly remains in contact with Salman Raouf Salman, the U.S.-designated Hezbollah operative who coordinated the 1992 and 1994 attacks. According to Argentine and Colombian authorities, in addition to transferring portions of their business profits to Hezbollah, the Akil Rada clan has also aided Hezbollah in smuggling cocaine into Lebanon.“Investigation links Lebanese Amer Mohamed Akil Rada, with businesses in Venezuela, in attack against AMIA in Argentina,” El Publique, October 12,2020, https://www.elpublique.me/2020/10/investigacion-vincula-libanes-amer.html; “Treasury Targets Senior Hizballah Operative for Perpetrating and Plotting Terrorist Attacks in the Western Hemisphere,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 19, 2019, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm737. The United States designated Amer Akil Rada, his brother, Samer Akil Rada, and his son, Mahdy Akil Helbawi, on September 12, 2023. The United States also designated businesses run by Helbawi and Samer Akil Rada.“Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 12, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20230912.
Another Lebanese family in Venezuela aiding Hezbollah is the Nassereddine clan, led by brothers Ghazi and Abdallah Nassereddine. Abdallah Nassereddine owns multiple commercial and residential properties on Venezuela’s Margarita Island. Ghazi Nassereddine joined Venezuela’s diplomatic corps and worked in the country’s embassy in Syria, where he allegedly helped arrange meetings between Hezbollah agents and senior Venezuelan officials.Joseph M. Humire, “The Maduro-Hezbollah Nexus: How Iran-backed Networks Prop up the Venezuelan Regime,” Atlantic Council, October 2020, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/the-maduro-hezbollah-nexus-how-iran-backed-networks-prop-up-the-venezuelan-regime/. The United States sanctioned Ghazi Nassereddine in 2008 for using his diplomatic position to provide support for Hezbollah.“Treasury Targets Hizballah in Venezuela,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 18, 2008, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/pages/hp1036.aspx.
In December 2015, the U.S. government passed the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act (HIFPA) of 2015. The legislation makes disrupting Hezbollah’s financial and logistics networks a U.S. policy goal by utilizing “diplomatic, legislative, and executive avenues to combat Hizballah's criminal activities in order to block that organization’s ability to fund its global terrorist activities.”“H.R.2297 — 114th Congress (2015-2016),” Congress.gov, accessed October 19, 2016, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2297. The legislation threatens sanctions on any financial institution that deals with Hezbollah or its Al-Manar media arm.“H.R.2297 — 114th Congress (2015-2016),” Congress.gov, accessed October 19, 2016, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2297. In the aftermath of the bill’s passage, Lebanese banks reportedly refused to open new accounts for Hezbollah members. However, Al-Monitor cited an anonymous banking expert who said that Hezbollah maintains its own banking system, which would be unaffected by the U.S. legislation.Jean Aziz, “How Lebanese banks are handling US sanctions on Hezbollah,” Al-Monitor, January 12, 2016, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/01/us-sanctions-lebanon-banks-hezbollah.html. Lebanese lawmakers have sought to lobby Congress to loosen sanctions against Hezbollah because of the threat to Lebanon’s economy. Then Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri argued that sanctions on financial institutions linked to Hezbollah would increase economic hardships for Lebanese citizens.Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, “Lebanese Lawmakers Lobbied U.S. Officials to Soften Hezbollah Sanctions,” Foreign Policy, June 2, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/02/lebanese-lawmakers-lobbied-u-s-officials-to-soften-hezbollah-sanctions/; “Hariri aims to curb sanctions impact,” Daily Star (Beirut), April 28, 2017, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Apr-28/403649-hariri-aims-to-curb-sanctions-impact.ashx; “S.1595 – Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017,” Congress.gov, accessed September 30, 2018, https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1595/text.
The U.S. government passed the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act in October 2018. The amendment sanctions law targets government agencies and foreign persons that knowingly support the terror group. It also targets Hezbollah’s affiliated transnational criminal networks.Maegan Vazquez, “Trump signs new sanctions against Hezbollah,” CNN, October 25, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/donald-trump-hezbollah-sanctions/index.html.
In August 2018, the U.S. government renewed financial sanctions on Iran that had previously been lifted under the 2015 international nuclear pact. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah rejected the new sanctions against Hezbollah’s primary backer and promised that Iranian support for the terror group would continue.“Hezbollah downplays U.S. sanctions on Iran,” Associated Press, August 14, 2018, https://apnews.com/e9a0036efc9f4f26a657abda7ea66468. In July 2019, the U.S. government for the first time imposed financial sanctions on two Hezbollah members of Lebanon’s parliament, Amin Sherri and Muhammad Raad. Hezbollah Lebanese officials called the designations an assault on Lebanon’s government but pledged that they would not affect the government’s work.Ellen Francis, “Lebanon PM: US sanctions won't affect government,” Reuters, July 10, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lebanon-hezbollah/lebanon-pm-us-sanctions-wont-affect-government-idUSKCN1U50Z0. In November 2020, the U.S. government sanction-designated Gibran Bassil, president of Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement. The government accused Bassil of corruption and helping “to erode the foundation of an effective government that serves the Lebanese people.”“Treasury Targets Corruption in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 6, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1177. Bassil is not a member of Hezbollah, nor does the designation mention the terror group. Nonetheless, Bassil and the Free Patriotic Movement are Hezbollah political allies. Bassil had previously told media that working with Hezbollah was an unavoidable political reality in Lebanon.Benoit Faucon and Dion Nissenbaum, “Trump Administration Set to Sanction Top Pro-Hezbollah Politician,” Wall Street Journal, November 5, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-set-to-sanction-top-pro-hezbollah-politician-11604627966.
In August 2019, the Treasury Department designated Lebanon-based Jammal Trust Bank and three of its subsidiaries as Specially Designated Global Terrorists for the bank’s “deep coordination” with Hezbollah, which the Treasury Department said put Lebanon’s entire banking sector at risk.“Treasury Labels Bank Providing Financial Services to Hizballah as Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 29, 2019, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm760. The United States continued to sanction Lebanese institutions in February 2020 when the Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on three Lebanese individuals and 12 entities affiliated with or controlled by the Iran-based Martyrs Foundation. The designated companies included Atlas Holding for being owned or controlled by the Martyrs Foundation. Atlas and its subsidiaries had conducted financial transactions for Hezbollah through the previously designated Jammal Trust Bank, which the United States accused of facilitating hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions through the Lebanese financial system and aiding Hezbollah officials in evading scrutiny from Lebanese financial authorities.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
The U.S. government alone has designated more than 100 Lebanese financial institutions, commercial entities, and individuals linked to Hezbollah since 2001.Laila Bassam, “Lebanese charity says unfairly hit by U.S. anti-Hezbollah law,” Reuters, May 21, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-usa-hezbollah-cleric-idUSKCN0YC0DL; “Publication of the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 Related Sanctions Regulations; Counter Terrorism Designations Updates; Syria Designations Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 15, 2016, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20160415.aspx. Other nations have also imposed financial sanctions on Lebanese businesses and individuals accused of providing financial and material support to Hezbollah. On October 27, 2021, Kosovo sanctioned seven local businessmen and a company for links to Hezbollah.“Kosovo sanctions 7 people, 1 company for links to Hezbollah,” Associated Press, October 27, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-religion-jerusalem-israel-866f0dd3695235ddbed51a6aafb52928. Also that month, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a seizure order against Lebanon-based Shreif Sanitary Co. and its owner, Haytham Ahmad Muhammad Shrief, after the company allegedly provided Hezbollah with equipment for the group’s precision-guided missile project. Gantz ordered the seizure of $17,000 Hezbollah had allegedly transferred to the company. According to the defense ministry, Shreif Sanitary Co. is a “preferred supplier of Hezbollah” that is providing equipment at reduced prices to the terror group.Anna Ahronheim, “Israeli Defense Minister signs seizure order against Lebanese company for helping Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/gantz-signs-seizure-order-against-lebanese-company-for-providing-equipment-to-hezbollah-682822. In December 2020, the United Kingdom enacted the Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which prohibits the sale or supply of arms and related material, and the provision of related services in Lebanon without the authorization of the Government of Lebanon or the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).“UK sanctions relating to Lebanon,” Gov.UK, last updated December 31, 2021, https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sanctions-on-lebanon.
The U.S. government has also increased financial pressure on Hezbollah networks in South America with sanctions against Hezbollah fundraisers and networkers in the Tri-Border Area of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In July 2018, Argentina levied financial sanctions on members of the Barakat Group, a criminal Hezbollah financial support network in South America’s Tri-Border Area led by U.S.-designated Lebanese citizen Assad Ahmad Barakat. The move was the first time Argentina had levied sanctions against Hezbollah.Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “Argentina freezes assets of suspected Hezbollah fundraising network,” Times of Israel, July 16, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/argentina-freezes-assets-of-suspected-hezbollah-fundraising-network/. Brazilian police arrested Barakat that September.“‘Hezbollah treasurer’ Barakat arrested in Brazil border city,” BBC News, September 22, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45610738. Argentina designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and froze the group’s assets on July 18, 2019.Daniel Politi, “Argentina Designates Hezbollah Terrorist Group on 25th Anniversary of Bombing,” New York Times, July 18, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/world/americas/argentina-hezbollah-terrorist-group.html. Paraguay designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization the following month.Presidencia Paraguay, Twitter post, August 19, 2019, 10:09 a.m., https://twitter.com/PresidenciaPy/status/1163452948615237633.
In response to increased financial sanctions against Hezbollah and Iran, Hezbollah has deployed donation boxes across Lebanon and called on supporters to offset the sanctions. In March 2019, Nasrallah called financial sanctions against Hezbollah a “form of war” and implored supporters to increase their financial contributions through a “jihad of money.”“Hezbollah calls on supporters to donate as sanctions pressure bites,” Reuters, March 8, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah/hezbollah-calls-on-supporters-to-donate-as-sanctions-pressure-bites-idUSL5N20V4XQ; Liz Sly and Suzan Haidamous, “Trump’s sanctions on Iran are hitting Hezbollah, and it hurts,” Washington Post, May 18, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/trumps-sanctions-on-iran-are-hitting-hezbollah-hard/2019/05/18/970bc656-5d48-11e9-98d4-844088d135f2_story.html?utm_term=.ae622466c555. In July 2020, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus declared the United States would continue to apply “severe economic pressure” on Hezbollah.“US to put ‘severe economic pressure’ on Hezbollah,” Arab News, July 22, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1708361/middle-east.
Hezbollah has also used its financial arm, Al-Qard al-Hassan Association (“The Good Loan”), to help Lebanese citizens access U.S. dollars while avoiding sanctions. Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH) is a registered Lebanese non-profit that provides interest-free loans and operates savings accounts. Lebanese fearful of the impact of U.S. sanctions on Lebanese banks have sought out AQAH as an alternative. AQAH officials noted a significant increase in depositions through 2020.Bassem Mroue, “Amid crisis, Hezbollah ‘bank’ a lifeline for some Lebanese,” Associated Press, January 27, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/world-news-financial-markets-lebanon-9e4faa6cb08b59cc773ee08ed501aca1; “Twin Treasury Actions Take Aim at Hizballah’s Support Network,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 24, 2007, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp503.aspx. Created in 1982, the association reportedly has approximately 300,000 accounts, all held by Hezbollah members or supporters. In November 2018, an account reportedly opened at the bank to transfer payments to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.George Eid, “Hezbollah takes aim at Lebanese finance,” Cyprus Mail, February 6, 2021, https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/02/06/hezbollah-lebanese-finance-banque-du-liban/. The United States sanctioned AQAH in 2007 for being part of Hezbollah’s support network.“Twin Treasury Actions Take Aim at Hizballah’s Support Network,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 24, 2007, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp503.aspx. In April 2021, Lebanese judge Ghada Aoun announced an investigation into AQAH based on complaints AQAH had violated Lebanon’s Monetary and Credit Law.Souad Lazkani, “Judge Ghada Aoun Will Investigate Hezbollah’s Al-Qard Al-Hassan And Imports Of Iranian Medicines,” The 961, April 24, 2021, https://www.the961.com/judge-aoun-investigate-hezbollah-qard-hassan/. In May 2021, the United States sanctioned seven Lebanese individuals linked to AQAH.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170. On October 27, 2021, Saudi Arabia designated AQAH as a terrorist entity for its activities supporting Hezbollah.“Saudi Arabia classifies Lebanese association as terrorist entity for Hezbollah links,” Reuters, October 27, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-classifies-lebanese-association-terrorist-entity-links-hezbollah-2021-10-27/.
In August 2021, Hezbollah began importing Iranian fuel for distribution in Lebanon. U.S. officials and Lebanese former Prime Minister Saad Hariri both warned the Iranian fuel risked triggering further sanctions on Lebanon and deepening the country’s economic crisis.Bassem Mroue, “US senators warn against Iranian fuel shipments to Lebanon,” Associated Press, September 1, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-business-iran-lebanon-beirut-e4357394ae1f2605d410cf80234f9341; Laila Bassam and Nafisa Eltahir, “Hezbollah arranges Iranian fuel for Lebanon,” Reuters, August 19, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-organised-fuel-lebanon-set-sail-group-says-2021-08-19/. As of September 1, the caretaker Lebanese government claimed it had received no requests from the Iranian government to export fuel to Lebanon.“Lebanese state’s permission not sought for Iranian fuel, minister says,” Reuters, September 1, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-energy-minister-says-he-hasnt-had-request-import-iranian-fuel-2021-09-01/. Despite the Iranian shipments, Lebanon continued to suffer the effects of an energy crisis that October as the country’s two main power plants were forced to shut down due to lack of fuel.“Lebanon Plunges Into Darkness Despite Iranian Fuel To Hezbollah,” Iran International, October 10, 2021, https://www.iranintl.com/en/20211010910866.
Hezbollah primarily relies on religious devotion, opposition to Israel, and devotion to Shiite values as recruitment tools, according to various government and journalistic assessments.Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, “Responses to Information Request,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 4, 2013, https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/pages/attachments/2015/09/29/lbn104638.e.pdf. In Syria, Hezbollah has capitalized on anti-U.S. sentiment and fear of Syrian government reprisals to recruit. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has invested in programs targeting every stage of Lebanese youths’ education, from primary school to university. Hezbollah runs networks of schools, camps, and religious programming throughout Lebanon. By targeting youth, Hezbollah gains new recruits and builds the domestic support responsible for its electoral successes.
Hezbollah’s youth wing, the “Mahdi Scouts,” offers programs similar to those of the American Boy Scouts, except that it indoctrinates support for Shiite and Hezbollah ideology. Scouts display pictures of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, and pledge their allegiance to Hezbollah. Graduates go on to become Hezbollah recruits or contribute to local support. Hezbollah also runs summer camps, field trips, and religious holiday programing. It maintains student outreach groups in unaffiliated schools. A network of religious teachers across the country is charged with promoting Shiite values and Hezbollah’s mission.Robert F. Worth, “Hezbollah Seeks to Marshall the Piety of the Young,” New York Times, November 20, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/world/middleeast/21lebanon.html.
Hezbollah reportedly employs recruiters to vet candidates for proper values, such as piety and modesty.Nicole Dow, “The inner workings of Hezbollah,” CNN Security Clearance, January 25, 2011, http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/inside-the-hezbollah/. According to journalist Nicholas Blanford, “those that drink, smoke, chase girls and drive fast cars stand little chance.”Nicole Dow, “The inner workings of Hezbollah,” CNN Security Clearance, January 25, 2011,http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/inside-the-hezbollah/. This process can sometimes take several years. “Only if they are good men do we let them join our ranks,” said an unidentified Hezbollah member.Ruth Sherlock, “Syria: Hezbollah recruitment surge as sectarian conflict spreads,” Telegraph [U.K.], March 2, 2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10671167/Syria-Hizbollah-recruitment-surge-as-sectarian-conflict-spreads.html. Recruits who pass this stage are then vetted for security before starting a regiment of religious education and basic military training. Recruits are free to leave if they decide during the training process Hezbollah is not right for them.Nicole Dow, “The inner workings of Hezbollah,” CNN Security Clearance, January 25, 2011,http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/inside-the-hezbollah/.
Shiite Hezbollah has expanded its recruitment to include Sunnis and non-Muslims. In 2009, it formed the Resistance Brigades in order to recruit Sunni allies. By 2013, its ranks had swelled to approximately 500. In response to clashes between the Brigades and locals in Lebanon, Hezbollah cut the number of fighters to between 200 and 250.“Hezbollah Recruiting Non-Shiites for ISIS Fight: Report,” Daily Star, November 12, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Nov-12/277324-hezbollah-recruiting-bekaa-youth-against-isis-report.ashx#sthash.C3J7Ty2i.dpuf.
Since 2012, Hezbollah has been fighting on behalf of Syria’s President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war, requiring it to increase membership of its ranks.Jack Khoury, “Hezbollah seeking 15,000 new recruits to fight against rebels in Syria,” Haaretz, October 20, 2013, http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/.premium-1.553458. Hezbollah has expanded its recruitment to young Christian, Druze, and Sunni Muslim men in east Lebanon. According to local media reports, Hezbollah is providing the recruits with weapons and training “to counter the threat of ISIS and its affiliates.”“Hezbollah Recruiting Non-Shiites for ISIS Fight: Report,” Daily Star (Beirut), November 12, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Nov-12/277324-hezbollah-recruiting-bekaa-youth-against-isis-report.ashx#sthash.C3J7Ty2i.dpuf. Sectarian violence in Syria’s civil war, which has spilled over into Lebanon, is attracting new volunteers to Hezbollah’s cause. This is a major shift from when Hezbollah first involved itself in Syria in 2012. Many Lebanese felt then that Syria was not their fight and Hezbollah should keep its focus on Israel. As suicide bombings and other violence gripped Lebanon, attitudes changed. “The war is here now. It is across the borders and in our areas. We have to protect ourselves,” said an unidentified Lebanese teacher.Ruth Sherlock, “Syria: Hezbollah recruitment surge as sectarian conflict spreads,” Telegraph (London), March 2, 2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10671167/Syria-Hizbollah-recruitment-surge-as-sectarian-conflict-spreads.html.
As of November 2018, Hezbollah had reportedly recruited up to 2,000 formerly U.S.-backed rebel fighters in Syria for a new pro-regime force in the country’s south along the Israeli and Jordanian borders. A rebel commander told the Wall Street Journal that fighters felt betrayed and abandoned by the U.S. and Arab forces. As an incentive to former rebels, Hezbollah allegedly pays a monthly salary of $250 and guarantees protection against arrest by the Syrian army. U.S. Syria envoy Joel Rayburn called Hezbollah’s recruitment of former rebels “a highly destabilizing prospect” that could increase the possibility of a new regional conflict.Sune Engel Rasmussen and Suha Ma’ayeh, “Iran Ally Hezbollah Pays Syrian Rebels to Switch Sides,” Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-ally-hezbollah-pays-syrian-rebels-to-switch-sides-1541073600.
In its early years, Hezbollah obtained critical training from Iran’s IRGC.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155. Hezbollah has since developed a network of training camps in Lebanon. It has also built a cultural machine that produces materials that foster an appreciation for Hezbollah’s patronage, its ability to empower Lebanese youth and support the society, and cultivate a deep distrust of Israel. The process of becoming a soldier continues at Mustafa schools, where students undergo religious studies, pray for Islamic Resistance fighters, and are inculcated with a sense of military brotherhood and discipline. As of 2011, Hezbollah did not allow fighters under the age of 18, but youth have a basic understanding of military training and weapons.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/joining-hezbollah/. Hezbollah reportedly lowered its fighting age to 16 in August 2014.Nicholas Blandford, “Hezbollah lowers fighting age as it takes on Islamic State,” Christian Science Monitor, August 18, 2014, http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0818/Hezbollah-lowers-fighting-age-as-it-takes-on-Islamic-State-video.
Hezbollah sends recruiters to villages where the group has influence. Potential recruits are pious, well-behaved, and intelligent. Recruiters develop a relationship with a potential recruit for months and sometimes years, eventually asking them to join. These activated recruits join out of a sense of religious obligation, desire to resist occupation, and even peer pressure.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
Fighters have to pass through a phase of tahdirat, or preparation, where they are taught about Iran’s Islamic revolution, scholarly Islamic texts, and a motif of martyrdom. During the second stage, intizam, or commitment, members undergo basic military training. Both of these phases last approximately a year.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
The initial military training program lasts for 33 days, during which recruits learn basic guerrilla warfare and physical fitness. The training takes place in the heavily wooded Bekaa Valley.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92. Recruits are dropped off with bare essentials and required to find their way back to their bases. They are forced to march across unsteady limestone with rock-filled backpacks. The trainees are given only one canteen of water per day, and are pressured to perform uphill sprints and pushups. During the night, each recruit performs at least one hour of guard duty.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
In addition to these tests meant to build fitness and endurance, recruits are trained in the use of standard Hezbollah weaponry—AK-47 and M-16 assault rifles, the PKC 7.62 light machine gun, the .50 caliber heavy machine gun, and the RPG-7—until they can strip, reassemble, and load each weapon blindfolded. Trainees are taught to shoot both day and night and learn the importance of conserving ammunition. Each fighter is taught how to install roadside bombs and landmines. They study the Israeli army’s armored vehicles and are instructed to fire RPGs at vulnerable spots. Recruits become adept at camouflage and stealth—learning various crawls and how to lie in observation for hours—and become expert navigators, using maps, compasses, and GPS instruments. Hezbollah also provides training to protect fighters against nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
This level of training is required for all recruits, even those who may eventually play ancillary roles for Hezbollah. Each fighter is trained in first aid and basic medical support. They are also required to take written and practical exams in the field.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92. After fighters have attained a certain level of religious scholarship and military training, some travel to Iran and sometimes Syria for specialized training. Hezbollah has been accused of working with the Quds Force of Iran’s IRGC, as well as training and advising Syrian government forces.Nicholas Kulish, “Despite Alarm by U.S., Europe Lets Hezbollah Operate Openly,” New York Times, August 15, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/world/europe/hezbollah-banned-in-us-operates-in-europes-public-eye.html?pagewanted=all. Top combat training is reserved for Hezbollah’s Special Forces unit, where recruits are subject to two 45-day programs with a five-day break in between.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
Hezbollah leaders insist that the group’s resistance is of a higher quality than other jihadist groups due to its ingrained faith in Islam, readiness for martyrdom, and integrity of leadership.Nicholas Blanford, “Joining Hezbollah,” Cairo Review of Global Affairs, October 2011, http://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/CairoReview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=92.
Secretary-General (deceased)
Secretary-general (formerly deputy secretary-general)
Top Political Adviser to Nasrallah
Military Commander (deceased)
Head of Political Assembly
Head of Executive Assembly (deceased)
Member of Shura Council and Logistics Coordinator
Former Senior Leader - Deceased
According to former CIA director George Tenet, “Hezbollah, as an organization with capability and worldwide presence, is [al-Qaeda’s] equal, if not a far more capable organization.”Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah Finances: Funding the Party of God,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, February 2005, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/hezbollah-finances-funding-the-party-of-god. Hezbollah is credited with attacks against Israeli soldiers during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon; the 1983 attack on U.S. military barracks in Lebanon; and the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847, as well as other attacks.Justyna Pawlak and Adrian Croft, “EU Adds Hezbollah’s Military Wing to Terrorism List,” Reuters. July 22, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/22/us-eu-hezbollah-idUSBRE96K0DA20130722. In 2012, U.S. State Department Counterterrorism Coordinator Daniel Benjamin said, “Hezbollah and Iran will both continue to maintain a heightened level of terrorist activity and operations in the near future,” and could launch attacks “with little or no warning.”Jamie Crawford, “U.S. Official: Hezbollah, Iran Continue to Pose Terror Threat,” CNN, August 10, 2012, http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/u-s-official-hezbollah-iran-continue-to-pose-terror-threat/.
In its more-than-three-decade history, Hezbollah has transformed—thanks largely to Iranian patronage—from a singularly focused terrorist group fighting Israel into a developed army participating in regional conflicts. Hezbollah’s use of drone technology illustrates its advancement in weaponry. Hezbollah began using Iranian-supplied drones in 2002, primarily for reconnaissance missions. In September 2014, Iranian media reported that Hezbollah had used an armed unmanned aerial vehicle to kill 23 members of the Nusra Front in Lebanon—a significant leap forward in weapons technology for the terrorist group.Adiv Sterman, “Hezbollah drones wreak havoc on Syrian rebel bases,” Times of Israel, September 21, 2014, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-drones-wreak-havoc-on-syrian-rebel-bases/. In August 2016, Hezbollah released video footage of its use of armed drones to drop cluster bombs on Syrian rebel forces near Aleppo, Syria.Judah Ari Gross, “Video appears to confirm use of attack drones by Hezbollah,” Times of Israel, August 11, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/video-appears-to-confirm-use-of-attack-drones-by-hezbollah-in-syria/. In December 2021, Israel’s ALMA Research Center warned Hezbollah had an arsenal of approximately 2,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, up from 200 Iran-made UAVs in its possession in 2013. According to the research center, Hezbollah’s drone arsenal included Iranian drones as well as smaller civilian drones made by China that are capable of taking photographs or dropping incendiary devices.Anna Ahronheim, “Hezbollah has some 2,000 unmanned aerial vehicles – ALMA,” Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-689470.
Hezbollah’s weapons remain a divisive issue for the Lebanese government as multiple international treaties and resolutions have called for the disarming of all militias in Lebanon. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, reaffirmed previous resolutions demanding Hezbollah’s disarmament and charged UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces with ensuring that no unauthorized weapons are present in southern Lebanon.“United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006),” United Nations, August 11, 2006, https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/IL-LB_060814_SCR1701.pdf. Nonetheless, Hezbollah has publicly maintained its armament in Lebanon, arguing it is for the country’s defense. In June 2009, Aoun argued that “Hezbollah’s weapons will no longer be a problem when the causes behind its existence disappear….”“Hezbollah choice at center of Lebanon vote,” CNN, June 7, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/05/lebanon.vote/. In November 2009, Hezbollah released an updated political manifesto, which declared the necessity of its arms.Nadim Ladki, “Hezbollah cuts Islamic rhetoric in new manifesto,” Reuters, November 30, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-hezbollah-idUSTRE5AT3VK20091130. On May 21, 2023, ahead of the anniversary of Israel’s May 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah invited Lebanese and foreign journalists to a military demonstration in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah used live ammunition to show off heavy weapons, missiles, and drones. The exercise took place in a Hezbollah military camp in the Aaramta area, north of the Litani River, where UNIFIL does not have a mandate to operate. In response to questions from U.S. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned any action that “undermines the authority and sovereignty of the state.”Najia Houssari, “Lebanon PM condemns Hezbollah military maneuver,” Arab News, May 22, 2023, https://www.arabnews.com/node/2308296/middle-east. He said the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons requires a “comprehensive national consensus, and it must be a priority for the upcoming phase.”Najia Houssari, “Lebanon PM condemns Hezbollah military maneuver,” Arab News, May 22, 2023, https://www.arabnews.com/node/2308296/middle-east.
The following is a list of areas where Hezbollah has staged violent activities:
Since Israel’s May 2000 evacuation from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has been responsible for cross-border raids, most notably the July 12, 2006, attack that killed eight Israeli soldiers and resulted in the captivity and deaths of two other soldiers. In the ensuing 34-day war, Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets, supplied by Iran, into Israeli territory. During the course of the war, Hezbollah killed 39 Israeli civilians and 120 soldiers, while Israel killed more than 850 Lebanese—most of whom were reportedly civilians. According to a report by the American Jewish Congress, the disproportionately high civilian casualty count on the Lebanese side was due to Hezbollah’s use of civilians as human shields.Amy Teibel, “Hezbollah Accused of Using Human Shields,” Washington Post, December 5, 2006, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/05/AR2006120500446_pf.html. The report claims that Hezbollah “operated from civilian areas to deter the Israeli military,” and further states that Hezbollah’s operatives “stashed weapons in hundreds of private homes and mosques, had fighters transporting missiles closely follow ambulances,” and fired rockets near areas where U.N. monitors were working.Amy Teibel, “Hezbollah Accused of Using Human Shields,” Washington Post, December 5, 2006, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/05/AR2006120500446_pf.html.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated in a 2006 report that Iran had transferred 10,000 short-range Katyusha-type rockets, with launchers, capable of reaching 7 to 12 miles inside Israel, as well as an unknown number of longer-range rockets capable of hitting targets almost 50 miles inside Israel, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.Anthony Cordesman, “Iran’s Support of the Hezbollah in Lebanon,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, July 15, 2006, http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/145646_en_060715_hezbollah.pdf. U.N. Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict, demanded that Hezbollah disarm.Security Council Calls For End to Hostilities Between Hizbollah, Israel, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1701 (2006),” United Nations Security Council, August 11, 2006, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8808.doc.htm. U.N. Resolution 1559 in 2004 also called for “the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.”“Security Council Declares Support for Free, Fair Presidential Election in Lebanon; Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces There,” U.N. Security Council, September 2, 2004, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sc8181.doc.htm. According to a 2014 State Department report, Hezbollah has stockpiled 60,000 to 70,000 missiles in Lebanon since the end of its 2006 war with Israel.“Country Reports: Middle East and North Africa Overview,” U.S. Department of State, April 30, 2014, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224823.htm.
Though Hezbollah has focused its military capacity in Syria since 2012, it has continued to target Israel. On January 28, 2015, for example, a Hezbollah missile hit an Israeli army position inside Israel, killing two Israeli soldiers.“Three killed as Israel and Hezbollah clash on Lebanese border,” BBC News, January 28, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31015862;
“U.N. peacekeeper killed on Lebanese frontier,” Reuters, January 28, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/28/us-mideast-israel-lebanon-un-idUSKBN0L11KQ20150128. In January 2016, Hezbollah targeted an Israeli patrol on the Israeli side of the border with an improvised explosive device.Associated Press, “Hezbollah attacks Israeli troops on Lebanon border,” Yahoo News, January 4, 2016, https://www.yahoo.com/news/lebanons-hezbollah-tv-reports-attack-israeli-forces-141756037.html?ref=gs. In October 2016, Israeli authorities charged six Lebanese members of a Hezbollah cell who had been arrested in recent months for allegedly attempting to plant bombs near the Israeli city of Haifa.Yaakov Lappin, “Security forces thwart Hezbollah attempt to plant bombs in Haifa area,” Jerusalem Post, October 6, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Hezbollah-terror-plot-in-northern-Israel-thwarted-469529.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s December 6, 2017, announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Hezbollah joined other regional terror groups in calling for a violent reprisal against Israel. In a speech the following day, Nasrallah warned of a “blatant aggression against [Jerusalem] its people, its holy sites and identity.”Sue Surkes, “Hezbollah leader: Trump move ‘a second Balfour Declaration,’” Times of Israel, December 7, 2017, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-leader-trump-move-a-second-balfour-declaration/. He declared that the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is “in real danger, and it may be demolished at any time.”“Nasrallah says Al Aqsa mosque ‘in real danger’ after US Jerusalem move,” Times of Israel, December 7, 2017, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/nasrallah-says-al-aqsa-mosque-in-real-danger-after-us-jerusalem-move/; “Nasrallah calls for protest against Trump decision,” Daily Star (Beirut), November 7, 2017, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Dec-07/429339-nasrallah-calls-for-demonstration-in-lebanon-to-protest-jerusalem-decision-on-monday.ashx#. He called for a massive protest in Beirut and supported calls for a new intifada (uprising) against Israel and increased violence.Seth J. Franztman, “Nasrallah Calls for Support of New Palestinian Intifada,” Jerusalem Post, December 7, 2017, http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Nasrallah-calls-for-support-of-new-Palestinian-Intifada-517373.
As of August 2019, there has been a significant increase in hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Israel launched an airstrike on August 24, 2019 that killed two Hezbollah members in Syria. The Israeli military justified the preemptive operation as a way to target Iranian and Hezbollah personnel being trained to operate attack drones.David M. Halbfinger, “Israel Says It Struck Iranian ‘Killer Drones’ in Syria,” New York Times, August 24, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/24/world/middleeast/israel-says-it-struck-iranian-killer-drones-in-syria.html?module=inline. A day later, two drones crashed into the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area that is home to many supporters of Hezbollah. Israel claimed responsibility for the strikes to which Lebanon’s president and Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, responded that the attacks were “a declaration of war” justifying a military response.“Lebanon president: Israel drone attack a declaration of war,” Al Jazeera, August 26, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/israel-strikes-palestinian-base-lebanon-reports-190826071121071.html.; Ben Hubbard, “Hezbollah Says Drones That Crashed in Beirut Suburbs Came From Israel,” New York Times, August 25, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/25/world/middleeast/israel-drones-beirut-hezbollah.html?module=inline. On September 1, 2019, Hezbollah fired antitank missiles into Avivim, Israel, prompting Israel to return fire with attack helicopters and about 100 artillery shells in southern Lebanon. Despite no reports of casualties or injuries on either side, this altercation represented the first significant exchange between Israel and Hezbollah since the 2006 Lebanon War.Andrew Carey, “Israel and Hezbollah exchange border fire for first time in years,” CNN, September 2, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/01/middleeast/israel-hezbollah-army-base-attack/index.html.; Tom O’Connor, “Israel Appears To Attack Four Countries In Two Days, Bombing Iran's Allies Across Middle East,” Newsweek, August 26, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/israel-attack-four-countries-bombing-iran-allies-1456161.; Richard Hall, “What’s happening between Hezbollah and Israel? The latest confrontation, explained,” Independent, September 6, 2019, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-missiles-a9093196.html.
On January 31, 2021, Hezbollah claimed to shoot down an Israeli drone that had crossed into Lebanese airspace. The Israeli army confirmed a drone had crashed in Lebanese territory but claimed there was no risk of an information breach from the drone.Judah Ari Gross and Agence France-Presse, “Hezbollah says one of its fighters killed in Israeli strike in Syria,” Times of Israel, July 21, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-says-one-of-its-fighters-killed-in-israeli-strike-in-syria/.
On January 31, 2021, Hezbollah claimed to shoot down an Israeli drone that had crossed into Lebanese airspace. The Israeli army confirmed a drone had crashed in Lebanese territory but claimed there was no risk of an information breach from the drone.“Hezbollah claims downing Israeli drone over southern Lebanon,” Al Jazeera, February 1, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/hezbollah-claims-it-downed-israeli-drone-over-southern-lebanon. On February 3, 2021, Hezbollah fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli drone in Lebanese airspace but caused no damage. Lebanese journalist Ali Choeib wrote on Twitter that Hezbollah’s “decision to try to prevent the enemy from continuing to violate its airspace has been made permanent.”Judah Ari Gross, “Hezbollah fires anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli drone over south Lebanon,” Times of Israel, February 3, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-anti-aircraft-missiles-fired-at-israeli-drone-from-south-lebanon.
On August 5, 2021, Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon after unknown militants fired rockets across the border the previous day.Laurie Kellman and Zeina Karam, “Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in response to rockets,” Associated Press, August 5, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-4381a75d5291df6b844b09f4c4fb4761. On August 6, Hezbollah launched at least 19 rockets into Israel. Hezbollah claimed the rockets struck open areas of the disputed Shebaa Farms area. No casualties were reported. Hezbollah called the rockets retaliation for the August 5 Israeli airstrikes, but did not take responsibility for the previous day’s rocket attack. Videos appeared on social media of Druze residents in the Shwaya village in Lebanon’s Hasbaya region claiming, “Hezbollah is firing rockets from between homes so that Israel hits us back.”Laurie Kellman and Zeina Karam, “Hezbollah says it fired rockets after Israeli airstrikes Hezbollah says it fired rockets after Israeli airstrikes,” Associated Press, August 6, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-78c742903569aeb81198ba7bd79052cb. In response, Hezbollah claimed it had fired the rockets from remote areas and sought to avoid harming Lebanese civilians.Laurie Kellman and Zeina Karam, “Hezbollah says it fired rockets after Israeli airstrikes Hezbollah says it fired rockets after Israeli airstrikes,” Associated Press, August 6, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-78c742903569aeb81198ba7bd79052cb. The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the international peacekeeping force in the country, reported witnessing the rocket attacks into Israel and Israeli retaliatory airstrikes, but claimed the rockets were fired from outside its operating area in southern Lebanon.Emanuel Fabian and Judah Ari Gross, “Israel warns of ‘overt and covert’ response if Hezbollah rocket fire continues,” Times of Israel, August 6, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-warns-of-overt-and-covert-response-if-hezbollah-rocket-fire-continues/; “UNIFIL STATEMENT ON ROCKET FIRE ON 4 AUGUST 2021,” UNIFIL, August 4, 2021, https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-statement-rocket-fire-4-august-2021.
Hezbollah has also sought to smuggle weapons into Israel and directly spark violence there. In July 2021, Israeli authorities interrupted a smuggling attempt from Lebanon into northern Israel and seized 43 weapons and ammunition worth approximately $820,000.“Troops foil mass gun-smuggling attempt from Lebanon; probe if Hezbollah involved,” Times of Israel, July 10, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/security-forces-foil-gun-smuggling-from-lebanon-hezbollah-involvement-suspected/. In October 2021, Israeli police officials accused Hezbollah of smuggling weapons to Israeli Arabs inside Israel to spark a civil war. Most of the smuggling is allegedly directed toward Israeli Arab criminal gangs. According to Israeli police intelligence, Hezbollah supports 95 percent of the smuggling between Lebanon and northern Israel.“Hezbollah smuggling weapons to Arab Israelis to sow civil strife – police,” Times of Israel, November 23, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-smuggling-weapons-to-arab-israelis-to-sow-civil-strife-police/. In February 2022, Israeli security forces arrested two Israeli Arabs in the northern Galilee region accused of attempting to smuggle weapons into Israel and hide them for other Hezbollah agents to find. According to Israeli security, the pair met with a Lebanese drug smuggler in Turkey who is connected to Hezbollah and has previously been jailed in Israel. The two were part of an alleged Hezbollah cell of Israeli Arabs tasked with establishing a cell to kidnap Israelis, smuggling weapons into Israel, providing information on targets for missile attacks, and identifying possible locations for crossing the border from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Two other Israeli-Arab cell members were arrested that February. The four were indicted the following month. Israeli officials accuse a senior Hezbollah official named Hajj Khalil Harb of coordinating Hezbollah’s smuggling attempts into northern Israel.Emanuel Fabian, “2 Arab Israelis tried to smuggle guns, plan kidnapping for Hezbollah — Shin Bet,” Times of Israel, March 20, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-arab-israelis-tried-to-smuggle-guns-plan-kidnapping-for-hezbollah-shin-bet/; “Israel Arrests Hezbollah Cell Plotting to Kidnap Israelis,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), March 20, 2022, https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3544241/israel-arrests-hezbollah-cell-plotting-kidnap-israelis.
On July 2, 2022, Israeli forces shot down three unmanned Hezbollah drones that crossed into Israel from Lebanon. Initial reports by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not believe the drones were armed. The drones were launched toward Israeli territorial waters as Lebanon and Israel continued an international disagreement over their maritime border and Lebanese assertions Israel’s Karish gas rig is in Lebanese waters. The drones were shot down several kilometers away from the Karish gas rig. The IDF suspected they were deployed for Hezbollah’s propaganda purposes.Anna Ahronheim, “Israel downs three Hezbollah drones flying toward Karish gas rig,” Jerusalem Post, July 2, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-711021. Nasrallah subsequently warned Hezbollah would continue to target the Karish field.Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily, “Hezbollah chief vows 'no one' will extract gas, oil from maritime zones if Lebanon unable to do so,” Reuters, July 13, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-chief-vows-no-one-will-extract-gas-oil-maritime-zones-if-lebanon-2022-07-13/. Lebanese Foreign Minister Bou Habib condemned as “unacceptable” any interference in the negotiations with Israel over the maritime border.Agence France-Presse, “Lebanon FM Criticizes Hezbollah Drone Mission Near Israel Gas Rig,” Voice of America, July 4, 2022, https://www.voanews.com/a/lebanon-fm-criticizes-hezbollah-drone-mission-near-israel-gas-rig-/6644283.html. On July 18, Israeli forces shot down another Hezbollah drone that crossed the Lebanese border into Israel.“IDF shoots down Hezbollah drone after it crosses into Israel,” Jerusalem Post, July 18, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-712421. During a July 19 visit to the Israel-Lebanon border, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid called Hezbollah’s aggression “unacceptable” and warned his country would act against any threat.Emily Rose, “Israeli leader warns Hezbollah during visit to border,” Associated Press, July 19, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-yair-lapid-hezbollah-659f40b16119ed502f4323f6822802f5. On October 27, 2022, Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement giving Israel oil and gas rights in the Karish field, while Lebanon gets access to the Qanaa prospect area of the Mediterranean. Lebanon also agreed to pay—through an intermediary—17 percent of the profits from Qanaa to Israel. Both Lebanon and Hezbollah denied the agreement signaled recognition of Israel. A Hezbollah spokesman declared his group and Israel remain enemies and Hezbollah would not hesitate to retaliate against any Israeli aggression.Sarah Dadouch, “As Israel, Lebanon seal maritime deal, Hezbollah does awkward balancing act,” Washington Post, October 27, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/27/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-maritime-deal/; Hadas Gold, Mostafa Salem, Mia Albert, Celine Alkhaldi, and Nadeen Ebrahim, “Israel and Lebanon finalize Mediterranean border agreement, opening up potentially rich oil and gas fields,” CNN, October 27 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/27/middleeast/israel-lebanon-sign-gas-deal-intl/index.html. Nasrallah declared the maritime matter closed and said Hezbollah would end its “exceptional measures and mobilizations” during negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.Tzvi Joffre, “Hezbollah ends state of alert over maritime border – Nasrallah,” Jerusalem Post, October 27, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-720784.
On March 13, 2023, a roadside bomb exploded on a road near the northern West Bank, wounding one. Guards at a security checkpoint near the Megiddo Junction in northern Israel stopped two men in a vehicle that had crossed into Israel from Lebanon and were suspected of planting the roadside bomb. Security forces found one of the individuals was wearing an explosives vest and carrying other weapons. They shot and killed the individual wearing the explosives vest and arrested the driver. The following month, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi accused Hezbollah of responsibility for the attack.“Israel says suspect killed wearing a suicide vest following roadside bomb,” Reuters, March 15, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-suspect-killed-wearing-suicide-vest-following-roadside-bomb-2023-03-15/; “Hezbollah behind roadside bomb in Israel last month, Israeli official says,” Reuters, April 28, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-behind-roadside-bomb-israel-last-month-israeli-official-says-2023-04-28/; Laurie Kellman, “Israel says roadside bomb suspect may have come from Lebanon,” Associated Press, March 15, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-bomb-hezbollah-netanyahu-3a9887688ed819acbbfd5ad7a5997c75.
On July 12, 2023, on the 17th anniversary of the start of the Second Lebanon War, approximately four members of Hezbollah set off explosives at the security fence separating Lebanon and Israel. The explosives failed to break through the fence and Israeli soldiers reportedly used non-lethal means to repel the militants from the area. At least three of the Hezbollah members are reportedly wounded, but it is unclear whether it was by the explosives or Israeli dispersal methods. During a televised speech later that day, Nasrallah said the incident was under investigation.Yonah Jeremy Bob, “IDF thwarts attempts to blow up Lebanon security fence,” Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749790; “Hezbollah members wounded in flare-up on Lebanon border with Israel, sources say,” Reuters, July 12, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-members-wounded-attack-lebanon-southern-border-sources-2023-07-12/. Also that day, Hezbollah members climbed the security barrier near the northern Israeli town of Metula and stole surveillance equipment. According to the IDF, the suspects did not enter Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to nearby residents.Emanuel Fabian, “Hezbollah members seen stealing Israeli surveillance tech from border tower,” Times of Israel, July 14, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-members-seen-stealing-israeli-surveillance-tech-from-border-tower/.
October 7 and the Hamas-Israel WarOn October 7, 2023, one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas—with Iranian support—launched a multi-pronged attack on Israel, killing at least 1,200 and taking over 240 hostages into Gaza.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; “Israeli forces conducting ‘wide-scale strikes’ on Hamas centers in Gaza. Here’s everything you need to know,” CNN, October 9, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-gaza-attack-10-09-23/h_adebb4147fc4a83751908555ec54b8c0; Lauren Frayer, “Israel revises down its death toll from the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to about 1,200,” NPR, November 11, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/11/1212458974/israel-revises-death-toll-hamas-attacks-oct-7. After blowing up a portion of the Gaza-Israel border fence, Hamas fighters crossed into Israel on motorcycles, pickup trucks, paragliders, and speed boats in an unprecedented assault by the terror group during the Jewish holidays of Simchat Torah and Shabbat. Hamas gunmen infiltrated at least 22 Israeli towns and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border, killing civilians and soldiers.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Seth J. Frantzman, “Hamas terror commander Deif calls for all out war on Israel,” Jerusalem Post, October 7, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-762052; “Operation Al Aqsa Flood,” Hamas Online Telegram channel, October 7, 2023. During the first few days of the war, Hezbollah sent messages to Israel that it was ready to join the conflict if Israel launched a ground assault on Gaza.Dion Nissenbaum and Ari Flanzraich, “At Israel-Lebanon Border, Fears Grow of a Second Front,” Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-israel-lebanon-border-fears-grow-of-a-second-battlefront-cda25139. Nasrallah praised Hamas for its strike against Israel, calling it a message against normalization with Israel.Rory Jones, “Hezbollah Praises Hamas Attack, Warns Against Normalizing Ties With Israel,” October 7, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-gaza-rockets-attack-palestinians/card/hezbollah-praises-hamas-attack-warns-against-normalising-ties-with-israel-rbqLpR9QDzCyiUGQw0xl. On October 11, the United States announced that it was sending two aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean to provide support and to deter foreign intervention against Israel. The United States specifically warned Hezbollah against intervening in the war.Vivian Salama, “U.S. Looks at Risks of Deeper Involvement With Israel’s War on Hamas,” Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-looks-at-risks-of-deeper-involvement-with-israels-war-on-hamas-eaf00b73.
Despite U.S. warnings, Hezbollah began launching missiles and anti-tank rockets toward northern Israel on October 8 “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people.“Israel, Hezbollah exchange artillery, rocket fire,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strikes-lebanon-after-hezbollah-hits-shebaa-farms-2023-10-08/. Hezbollah’s continued attacks on northern Israel have displaced approximately 80,000 people. Between October 8, 2023, and January 9, 2024, Hezbollah attacks killed four Israeli civilians and nine IDF soldiers. In that same time span, Hezbollah acknowledged Israel had killed 158 of its members in Lebanon and Syria. At least 19 members of other terror organizations, one Lebanese soldiers, and at least 19 civilians had also been killed.Emanuel Fabian and staff, “Hezbollah drone chief behind attacks on north killed in alleged Israeli strike,” Times of Israel, January 9, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-drone-hits-idf-base-in-safed-israel-said-to-kill-3-terrorists-in-lebanon/.
On January 8, 2024, an Israeli missile strike killed Wissam al-Tawil, a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan force, an elite unit stationed along Israel’s northern border. Radwan had reportedly been planning an attack on northern Israel but paused its plans after Hamas’s October 7 attack. Tawil was reportedly one of the most senior Hezbollah targets killed since fighting began on October 8.Tamara Qiblawi and Charbel Mallo, “Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli strike, Lebanese security source says, as fears of wider conflict grow,” CNN, January 8, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/08/middleeast/hezbollah-commander-killed-intl/index.html; “Senior Hezbollah commander killed in alleged Israeli strike as border tensions mount,” Times of Israel, January 8, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-hezbollah-commander-killed-in-alleged-israeli-strike-as-border-tensions-mount/. On January 9, Israel killed Ali Hussein Barji, commander of Hezbollah’s aerial forces in southern Lebanon. Barji was responsible for dozens of explosive drone attacks on northern Israel, including one that morning.Emanuel Fabian and staff, “Hezbollah drone chief behind attacks on north killed in alleged Israeli strike,” Times of Israel, January 9, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-drone-hits-idf-base-in-safed-israel-said-to-kill-3-terrorists-in-lebanon/. According to media reports, at least 356 Hezbollah members died between October 7, 2023, and July 1, 2024.Rania Abu Shamala, “18 Israeli soldiers wounded in Hezbollah drone attack on Golan Heights,” Anadolu Agency, July 1, 2024, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/18-israeli-soldiers-wounded-in-hezbollah-drone-attack-on-golan-heights/3262346.
On September 9, 2024, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar sent a letter to Nasrallah thanking him and other Iran-backed groups for their “blessed acts” support of Hamas since October 7.“Israel-Hamas war latest: Oct. 7 mastermind thanks Hezbollah leader for his help attacking Israel,” Associated Press, September 13, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-latest-13-september-2024-14befa272bc68b53b419c1398d2e8970. In the letter, Sinwar called the ensuing war with Israel “one of the most honorable battles for the Palestinian people.”“Israel-Hamas war latest: Oct. 7 mastermind thanks Hezbollah leader for his help attacking Israel,” Associated Press, September 13, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-latest-13-september-2024-14befa272bc68b53b419c1398d2e8970.
Hezbollah undertook a campaign of violence against U.S., Israeli, and other international targets in Lebanon throughout the 1980s. These attacks include the 1983 attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut, which left 63 people dead,“Global Terrorism Database,” START: A Center of Excellence of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, accessed June 12, 2014, http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=198304180001. and the suicide truck bombing of U.S. Marine barracks later that year, which left 242 U.S. service personnel dead. Simultaneously with the Marine barrack bombing, Hezbollah targeted French military barracks, killing 58 French service members.“Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing Fast Facts,” CNN, June 13, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/world/meast/beirut-marine-barracks-bombing-fast-facts/index.html.
Hezbollah has been responsible for violent clashes with Lebanese security forces, such as in May 2008 when Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah openly threatened war with the Lebanese army.“Gun battles break out in Beirut,” CNN, May 9, 2008, http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/08/lebanon.hezbollah/index.html?iref=nextin; Lebanon Rivals Agree Crisis Deal,” BBC News, May 21, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7411835.stm. Hezbollah launched bloody street battles against Lebanese forces after a government decision to dismantle the group’s private telephone network, which Hezbollah called a declaration of war. Hezbollah fighters captured sections of western Beirut and attacked media offices affiliated with the governing Future movement in clashes that killed 62 people dead across the country. The Lebanese government called Hezbollah’s actions “an armed and bloody coup,” while international media reported the conflict as the worst sectarian fighting in Lebanon since the end of Lebanon’s civil war. The fighting ended with a Qatari-negotiated agreement that brought Hezbollah into a national-unity government.Nadim Ladki, “Hezbollah says Beirut government declares war,” Reuters, May 8, 2008, http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL08466882._CH_.2400;
Robert F. Worth and Nada Bakri, “Hezbollah Seizes Swath of Beirut From U.S.-Backed Lebanese Government,” New York Times, May 10, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/world/middleeast/10lebanon.html;
“Hezbollah rocks eastern villages,” BBC News, May 11, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7394853.stm;
Robert F. Worth and Nada Bakri, “Deal for Lebanese Factions Leaves Hezbollah Stronger,” New York Times, May 22, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/world/middleeast/22lebanon.html;
Tom Perry, “Lebanon government denounces Hezbollah “coup” in Beirut,” Reuters, May 9, 2008, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-conflict-idUSL0742599820080509;
“Lebanon rivals agree crisis deal,” BBC News, May 21, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7411835.stm.
Further, Hezbollah’s actions in the Syrian civil war have spilled into Lebanon, resulting in confrontations with the Nusrah Front and other rebel groups inside Lebanese territory.Associated Press, “Hezbollah fighters and Syria rebels in deadly clash inside Lebanon,” Guardian (London), June 2, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/02/hezbollah-syria-rebels-clash-lebanon;
Mona Alami, “The War Between Hezbollah and ISIS in Lebanon,” Newsweek, December 12, 2015, http://www.newsweek.com/war-between-hezbollah-and-isis-lebanon-404244. ISIS has also targeted Hezbollah strongholds inside Lebanon, including a November 2015 twin suicide bombing in Beirut, which left 43 dead.“Islamic State targets Hezbollah bastion in Lebanon,” Reuters, November 12, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/video/2015/11/12/islamic-state-targets-hezbollah-bastion?videoId=366295048.
On June 30, 2011, the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) indicted four men—Hussein Hassan Anaissy, Assad Sabra, and suspected Hezbollah members Mustafa Badreddine and Salim Ayyash—for the February 14, 2005, Beirut bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others.Nada Bakri, “Tribunal Names 4 in ’05 Killing of Lebanese Leader,” New York Times, June 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/world/middleeast/01lebanon.html. Hezbollah denies participation in the attack. In February 2012, the STL agreed to try the four in absentia.“Mustafa Amine Badreddine – former Accused (deceased),” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, accessed August 6, 2020, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/stl-11-01/accused/mustafa-amine-badreddine. Suspected mastermind Badreddine died in 2016 while fighting in Syria.Agence France-Presse, “Hariri tribunal axes trial of slain Hezbollah commander,” Al-Monitor, July 11, 2016, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/afp/2016/07/lebanon-hezbollah-trial-hariri.html. The STL chose not to pursue the criminal case against Badreddine after his death.“Mustafa Amine Badreddine – former Accused (deceased),” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, accessed August 6, 2020, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/stl-11-01/accused/mustafa-amine-badreddine. Municipal officials in Beirut created a domestic controversy in 2018 when they named a street after Badreddine. The street itself led to Rafik Hariri Hospital.“Mustafa Badreddine Street sparks outrage in Lebanon,” BBC News, September 19, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45572467. In October 2013, the STL filed charges against suspected Hezbollah member Hassan Habib Merhi and subsequently added him in absentia to the trial of Anaissy, Sabra, and Ayyash.“Hassan Habib Merhi,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, accessed August 6, 2020, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/stl-11-01/accused/hassan-habib-merhi; “Special Lebanon tribunal indicts fifth suspect in Hariri assassination,” Deutsche Welle, October 10, 2013, https://www.dw.com/en/special-lebanon-tribunal-indicts-fifth-suspect-in-hariri-assassination/a-17150855. On August 18, 2020, the STL found Ayyash guilty of all charges against him. The court also found Anaissy, Sabra, and Merhi not guilty. Ayyash remained at large at the time of the verdict.“The Prosecutor v. Salim Jamil Ayyash, Hassan Habib Merhi, Hussein Hassan Oneissi, Assad Hassan Sabra – Summary of Judgement,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, August 18, 2020, 5, https://www.stl-tsl.org/crs/assets/Uploads/20200818-F3840-PUBLIC-Summary-of-Judgment-FILED-EN-FINAL.pdf. The court did not find direct evidence that Hezbollah’s leadership played a role in the bombing.“Rafik Hariri tribunal: Who were the four accused over 2005 assassination?,” BBC News, August 18, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25757367. The STL sentenced Ayyash in absentia to five consecutive life sentences on December 11, 2020.“Hezbollah militant Salim Ayyash given life sentences for Hariri killing,” BBC News, December 11, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55271428. Following a prosecutor’s appeal of its August 2020 decision, the STL Appeals Chamber convicted Anaissy and Merhi on March 10, 2022. The court ruled both were members of the conspiracy aimed at committing the terrorist act in downtown Beirut. Anaissy and Merhi remain at large.“OTP Press release - STL Appeals Chamber Convicts Hassan Habib Merhi & Hussein Hassan Oneissi for Terrorist Attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, March 10, 2022, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/media/press-releases/otp-press-release-stl-appeals-chamber-convicts-hassan-habib-merhi-hussein-hassan-oneissi-for-terrorist-attack-that-killed-former-lebanese-prime-minister-rafik-hariri.
On August 4, 2020, an explosion in Beirut’s port killed at least 200 people, wounded more than 6,000 others, and destroyed much of the port.“Anger Rises After Beirut Blast and Evidence Officials Knew of Risks,” New York Times, August 5, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-explosion.html. In response, the STL delayed handing down its verdict, which had originally been scheduled for August 7.“Pronouncement of Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case postponed to 18 August 2020,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, August 5, 2020, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/media/press-releases/pronouncement-of-judgment-in-the-ayyash-et-al-case-postponed-to-18-august-2020. Lebanese officials suspect the explosion was caused by negligence in the storage of the explosive fertilizer chemical ammonium nitrate but did not immediately rule out the possibility of terrorism.Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam, “Negligence suspected in Beirut blast involving chemicals,” Associated Press, August 6, 2020, https://apnews.com/4475998de078a93bbe91b7ac9d43ada2. Suspicion also fell upon Hezbollah, which allegedly used multiple buildings in the port for illegal drug smuggling and other criminal activities. According to Lebanese intelligence sources, Hezbollah-controlled buildings in the port housed weapons and fireworks. The explosions were reportedly sparked by a fire at one of the Hezbollah warehouses.Hollie McKay, “Beirut blasts likely accidental – but Hezbollah activities at the port under scrutiny,” Fox News, August 5, 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/world/beirut-blast-hezbollah-port-under-scrutiny. Hezbollah had previously threatened to target ammonium nitrate storage facilities at Israel’s ports. Hezbollah had also reportedly sought to use Lebanon’s agricultural ministry to import ammonium nitrate into Lebanon from Syria.Seth J. Frantzman, “Nasrallah threatened to blow up Israel with same chemicals as Beirut blast,” Jerusalem Post, August 5, 2020, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/nasrallah-threatened-to-blow-up-israel-with-same-chemicals-as-beirut-blast-637582. Anti-government protests reignited in Beirut after the explosion. On August 10, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab dissolved the government after attributing the explosion to widespread corruption.Michael Georgy and Ellen Francis, “Lebanese government quits amid fury over Beirut blast,” Reuters, August 10, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast/lebanon-government-set-to-resign-amid-outrage-over-beirut-blast-minister-idUSKCN2560XY; Ted Regencia, Arwa Ibrahim, and Farah Najjar, “Second day of protests as anger over Beirut explosion grows: Live,” Al Jazeera, August 9, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/hundreds-protesters-injured-anger-simmers-beirut-live-200808234355971.html.
Hezbollah’s campaign in Syria has spilled over into Lebanon, with clashes against the al-Nusra Front, ISIS, and other rebel forces within Lebanon’s borders. For example, in May 2015, Hezbollah and Nusra fighters fought in eastern Lebanon, about 30 miles from the Syrian border, according to Lebanese security.“Hezbollah clashes with Nusra Front on Lebanon-Syria border,” Reuters, May 5, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-lebanon-nusra-idUSKBN0NQ1FK20150505. In June 2013, Syrian rebels fired 18 rockets and mortars into eastern Lebanon. A Hezbollah member and 17 Nusra Front fighters were reportedly killed in ensuing battles inside Lebanon.Associated Press, “Syrian rebels enter Lebanon, clash with Hezbollah,” Times of Israel, June 2, 2013, http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebels-enter-lebanon-clash-with-hezbollah/.
On November 3, 2017, Prime Minister Saad Hariri fled Beirut to Saudi Arabia. The following day, he announced his resignation, alleging that Hezbollah had attempted to assassinate him a few days earlier. Hezbollah rejected the claim and accused Saudi Arabia of directing Hariri to resign in order to weaken Hezbollah.Zeina Karam, “Lebanese premier resigns, plunging nation into uncertainty,” Associated Press, November 4, 2017, https://apnews.com/019113ca565d4170ac7c23b687947d74/Lebanese-premier-resigns,-plunging-nation-into-uncertainty;
Agence France-Presse, “Hezbollah says Saudi Arabia ‘imposed’ Lebanon PM’s resignation,&rdquo Yahoo News, November 5, 2017, https://www.yahoo.com/news/hezbollah-says-saudi-imposed-lebanon-pms-resignation-172701903.html.
On February 3, 2021, prominent Lebanese Hezbollah critic Lokman Slim was shot to death in his car in southern Lebanon. It was not immediately clear who had killed Slim, but he had written critically of Hezbollah’s intimidation tactics and attempts to monopolize Lebanese politics. He had also accused Hezbollah and its patron Syria of complicity in the August 2020 port explosion in Beirut that killed 200.Ellen Francis and Laila Bassam, “Prominent Hezbollah critic killed in Lebanon,” Reuters, February 4, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-activist/prominent-hezbollah-critic-killed-in-lebanon-idUSKBN2A40Y2. Hezbollah officially condemned the murder.“Hezbollah Condemns Slim’s Murder, Calls for Combating Roving Crimes in Lebanon with All Political, Media Exploitation,” Al-Manar TV, February 4, 2021, https://english.almanar.com.lb/1266773. Two days after Slim’s death, approximately 100 protesters in Beirut blamed Hezbollah for his murder.“Activists in Beirut protest killing of Hezbollah critic Lokman Slim,” Reuters, February 6, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-activist-idUSKBN2A60HA.
On February 25, 2021, the STL scheduled a new trial for Ayyash in relation to attacks on Lebanese politicians Marwan Hamadeh, Georges Hawi, and Elias El-Murr between October 2004 and July 2005. The trial was scheduled to begin June 16, 2021.“Pre-Trial Judge sets tentative date for start of trial in the Ayyash case,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, February 26, 2021, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/media/press-releases/pre-trial-judge-sets-tentative-date-for-start-of-trial-in-the-ayyash-case. On March 2, Hezbollah fighters reportedly opened fire on Lebanese forces in Beirut attempting to arrest Ayyash. Hezbollah acknowledged Lebanese forces had attempted to arrest a suspect but denied its fighters had fired on them.Najia Houssari, “Hezbollah gunmen fight off bid to arrest Rafik Hariri’s killer,” Arab News, March 3, 2021, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1818776/middle-east. In early June 2021, the STL cancelled the start of its upcoming trial of Ayyash because of a lack of funds. The STL also suspended all decisions on filings presently before it, and on any future filings, until further notice.“Start of trial in the Ayyash case (STL-18-10) on 16 June cancelled due to lack of funds,” Special Tribunal for Lebanon, June 3, 2021, https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/media/press-releases/start-of-trial-in-the-ayyash-case-stl-18-10-on-16-june-cancelled-due-to-lack-of-funds.
On December 14, 2022, two UNIFIL armored vehicles, carrying eight peacekeeping soldiers, came under small arms fire near the southern village of Al-Aqbieh in southern Lebanon. One of the vehicles was separated and surrounded by a mob, which caused the vehicle to swerve and crash into a shop. One Irish UNIFIL soldier was killed by gunfire while three others were wounded in the crash. Hezbollah denied involvement. A senior Hezbollah official claimed the soldier’s death resulted from an “unintentional incident” between Al-Aqbieh residents and the Irish unit.Sarah Dadouch, “Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon in ‘serious incident,’” Washington Post, December 15, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/15/lebanon-irish-unifil-soldier-killed/; Padraic Halpin and Laila Bassam, “Irish soldier killed on U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon,” Reuters, December 15, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/irish-soldier-killed-un-peacekeeping-mission-lebanon-2022-12-15/. Irish officials launched an investigation. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the perpetrators would be punished.Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters, “Those responsible for Irish soldier’s death ‘will be punished’ - Lebanon PM,” Jerusalem Post, last updated December 16, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-724919. UNIFIL also launched an investigation in coordination with the LAF.“UNIFIL STATEMENT ON INCIDENT IN AL-AQBIEH,” UNIFIL, December 15, 2022, https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-statement-incident-al-aqbieh/. In late December, the Lebanese military arrested a suspect. Hezbollah claimed it cooperated in the arrest and the suspect was not a member.Abby Sewell and Kareem Chehayeb, “Suspect arrested in killing of UN peacekeeper in Lebanon,” Associated Press, December 27, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-ireland-hezbollah-ed3024daf69e1deac63b7a1256994111. On January 5, 2023, Lebanon’s military tribunal charged the suspect and six others in absentia in the attack.Kareem Chehayeb and Abby Sewell, “Lebanon charges 7 suspects in killing of UN peacekeeper,” Associated Press, January 5, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-lebanon-hezbollah-israel-274025a2ca2aad26bcae29290e718f19. According to recordings of the attack, the gunmen could be heard identifying themselves as Hezbollah. On June 1, Lebanon’s military tribunal charged five Hezbollah-linked men with killing the peacekeeper. Suspect Mohamad Ayyad was already in Lebanese custody, while suspects Ali Khalifeh, Ali Salman, Hussein Salman, and Mustafa Salman remained at large.Kareem Chehayeb, “Lebanese army court charges 5 men allegedly linked to Hezbollah for Irish peacekeeper’s death,” Associated Press, June 1, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-unifil-ireland-peacekeeper-5945749323553d7a697316530cb45b39.
On August 9, 2023, a Hezbollah truck passing through the Christian village of Kahaleh overturned. Hezbollah gunmen engaged village residents who reportedly surrounded the truck, leaving a Hezbollah fighter and a villager dead. Local lawmakers from the Christian Forces political party accused Hezbollah of transporting weapons in the truck. Hezbollah accused “militias” in the village of attacking its property as the truck passed through. Hezbollah did not acknowledge the contents of the truck. Kahaleh is situated along a highway connecting Lebanon to Syria, which Hezbollah has used to transport weapons into Lebanon. After the incident, Kahaleh residents called to keep the highway closed in protest.“Shooting after Hezbollah truck overturns near Lebanese capital leaves 2 people dead,” Associated Press, August 9, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-weapons-bekaa-highway-truck-overturned-44a3821e3cc0c2c46af8d4ada4b1bfcf; “Two killed in clash between Lebanon's Hezbollah, Christian villagers – sources,” Reuters, August 9, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-dead-clashes-between-lebanons-hezbollah-residents-christian-town-sources-2023-08-09/.
Hezbollah is suspected of carrying out a number of transnational attacks. According to the U.S. Department of State, Hezbollah “increased the pace of its terrorist plotting” in 2012.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2014,” U.S. Department of State, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2014/239413.htm.
On June 14, 1985, Hezbollah terrorists, armed with grenades and a 9-mm. pistol, hijacked TWA Flight 847 on its way from Athens to Rome. The hijackers demanded passengers with “Jewish-sounding names” identify themselves. The terrorists forced the plan to land in Beirut, where they shot passenger Robert Stethem, a U.S. Navy diver, and threw his body out of the plane, reportedly in retaliation for a failed negotiation. Hezbollah demanded the release of more than 700 prisoners held in Israel, Cyprus, and Kuwait in exchange for the remaining 39 hostages. The terrorists released most of the hostages but kept five on board until their negotiated release on June 30.Associated Press, “Survivor recounts experience aboard hijacked plane in 1985,” Washington Times, May 11, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/11/survivor-recounts-experience-aboard-hijacked-plane/;
Dena Kleiman, “Hostages in Lebanon: Who the Captives are; 40 Remaining Hostages: A Diverse Group United by the Random Nature of their Plight,” New York Times, June 21, 1985, http://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/21/us/hostages-lebanon-who-captives-are-40-remaining-hostages-diverse-group-united.html;
Gerald Boyd, “Out of Captivity; Picture of Washington as Captive of the Crisis,” New York Times, July 1, 1985, http://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/01/world/out-of-captivity-picture-of-washington-as-captive-of-the-crisis.html;
“Hijacking of TWA Flight 847,” FBI, accessed October 19, 2016, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/hijacking-of-twa-flight-847;
William E. Smith, “Terror Aboard Flight 847,” Time, June 24, 2001, http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,142099,00.html. On October 9, 2021, Hezbollah announced Atwa’s death from cancer and held a funeral in Beirut.“Hezbollah member wanted for role in 1985 hijacking dies,” Associated Press, October 9, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-hezbollah-athens-beirut-europe-b0d2e3f41b09221186bd8b625241ea57. Hammadi and Izz-Al-Din remain at large.“Hijacking of TWA Flight 847,” FBI, accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/hijacking-of-twa-flight-847.
The hijackers were identified as Mohammed Ali Hammadi and Hasan Izz-Al-Din. A third hijacker, Ali Atwa, missed the flight but was arrested at Athens airport. Greek authorities released him when Hammadi and Izz-Al-Din threatened to kill passengers. All three were placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.“Hijacking of TWA Flight 847,” FBI, accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/hijacking-of-twa-flight-847; “Hezbollah member wanted for role in 1985 hijacking dies,” Associated Press, October 9, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-hezbollah-athens-beirut-europe-b0d2e3f41b09221186bd8b625241ea57. On January 13, 1987, German authorities arrested Hammadi as he brought explosives into the Frankfurt airport. Soon after his arrest, two German citizens in Lebanon were kidnapped in an attempt to dissuade Germany from extraditing Hammadi to the U.S.Craig Whitlock, “Hijacker Sought By U.S. Released,” Washington Post, December 21, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/20/AR2005122001615.html. A German court tried Hammadi and handed him a life sentence in 1989,Patrick Moser, “Life in prison for Hammadi,” United Press International, May 17, 1989, http://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/17/Life-in-prison-for-Hammadi/9349611380800/. but he was released on parole in 2005 after serving only 19 years.Craig Whitlock, “Hijacker Sought By U.S. Released,” Washington Post, December 21, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/20/AR2005122001615.html. Hammadi remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.“Mohammed Ali Hammadi,” FBI, accessed October 31, 2016, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/mohammed-ali-hamadei.
On March 17, 1992, a van carrying 220 pounds of explosives drove onto the sidewalk outside the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and blew up, killing 23 people and wounding 242.Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah’s 1992 Attack in Argentina Is a Warning for Modern-Day Europe,” Atlantic, March 19, 2013, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/hezbollahs-1992-attack-in-argentina-is-a-warning-for-modern-day-europe/274160/. Hezbollah claimed responsibility in a statement to a Beirut-based Western news agency, declaring, “with all pride that the operation of the martyr infant Hussein is one of our continuing strikes against the criminal Israeli enemy in an open-ended war, which will not cease until Israel is wiped out of existence.”Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah’s 1992 Attack in Argentina Is a Warning for Modern-Day Europe,” Atlantic, March 19, 2013, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/hezbollahs-1992-attack-in-argentina-is-a-warning-for-modern-day-europe/274160/. The “martyr infant Hussein” refers to the 5-year-old son of Hezbollah leader Abbas Moussawi. Both were killed in an Israeli airstrike on February 16, 1992.
On July 18, 1994, a suicide bomber exploded at the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) community center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people and wounding 300.“Argentina Passes Iran Amia Deal,” BBC News, February 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21612517. In 2006, Argentinian prosecutors called for the arrest of a handful of Iranian officials, including former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, in connection to the attack.“Iran Charged over Argentina Bomb,” BBC News, October 25, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6085768.stm. The following year, prosecutors named several suspects, including Iran’s then defense minister, Gen. Ahmed Vahidi, who was commander of a special unit of the IRGC in 1994.“Argentina passes deal with Iran to probe Amia bombing,” BBC News, February 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21612517. According to Argentinian prosecutors, Iran planned and financed the AMIA attack, which Hezbollah then carried out.“Argentina passes deal with Iran to probe Amia bombing,” BBC News, February 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21612517.
In 2013, Argentina and Iran agreed to a joint investigation into the 1994 attack. Detractors, including Argentinian Jewish groups and a number of opposition legislators, condemned the deal, arguing it would hinder the investigation and that Iran could not be trusted. “The bombing is being debated with the Iranian government, which ordered it,” said Ricardo Gil Lavedra of the Argentinian legislature.“Argentina passes deal with Iran to probe Amia bombing,” BBC News, February 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21612517. Guillermo Carmona, president of the Argentine Foreign Relations Committee, called the agreement the only possibility for Argentinian legal officials to question Iranian suspects in Tehran. Despite Iran’s cooperation agreement, Interpol refused to rescind the six arrest warrants for Iranian suspects, including Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi, in the bombing.“Interpol Won’t Lift Warrants for 6 Iranians in AMIA Bombing,” Times of Israel, March 15, 2013, http://www.timesofisrael.com/interpol-wont-lift-warrants-for-6-iranians-wanted-in-amia-bombing/. As of October 2016, Argentina continues to issue international extradition requests for Iranian suspects.Agence France-Presse, “Argentina seeks extradition of Iran ex-minister,” Yahoo 7 News, October 21, 2016, https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/32966754/argentina-seeks-extradition-of-iran-ex-minister/#page1.
On January 27, 2013, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian government to set up a joint commission to investigate the AMIA bombing.“Amia bombing: Argentina and Iran agree truth commission,” BBC News, January 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-21225832. In January 2015, Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman accused Kirchner and other Argentine officials of covering up Iran’s role in the bombing.Jonathan Gilbert, “Argentine President Accused of Cover-Up in Bombing Inquiry,” New York Times, January 14, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/15/world/americas/argentine-president-accused-of-cover-up-in-bombing-inquiry.html. Nisman was found shot to death in mysterious circumstances in his Bueno Aires apartment three days later.Karen Zraick, “The Mysterious Death of Alberto Nisman,” New York Times, last updated February 20, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/07/world/americas/argentina-alberto-nisman-case.html?_r=1. On December 7, 2017, Argentine Judge Claudio Bonadio indicted former president Kirchner on treason charges for covering up Iran’s role in the AMIA bombing in exchange for trade concessions. Kirchner denied the charge, which Bonadio based on Nisman’s work.Max Radwin and Anthony Faiola, “Argentine ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner charged with treason,” Washington Post, December 7, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/argentine-ex-president-cristina-fernandez-charged-with-treason/2017/12/07/e3e326e0-db80-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html?utm_term=.fcfee0d60009.
Argentina designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization on July 18, 2019, the 25th anniversary of the AMIA bombing.Daniel Politi, “Argentina Designates Hezbollah Terrorist Group on 25th Anniversary of Bombing,” New York Times, July 18, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/world/americas/argentina-hezbollah-terrorist-group.html.ed that Iran had planned the AMIA bombing, while Hezbollah had carried it out. Dèbora Rey and Isabel Debre, “Argentine court blames Iran and Hezbollah for deadly 1994 Jewish center bombing,” Associated Press, April 16, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/argentina-1994-jewish-center-bombing-iran-investigation-36b4f9cbe20900d39d8f28477589a444.
Bahrain has a Shiite majority but is ruled by a Sunni monarchy. Bahraini intelligence from defected Syrian soldiers revealed that Hezbollah had trained Bahraini cells to carry out terrorist attacks within the country.“Bahrain First Arab Country to Blacklist Hezbollah as Terrorist Organization,” Al Arabiya, April 9, 2013, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/09/Bahrain-first-Arab-country-to-blacklist-Hezbollah-as-terrorist-organization.html. Bahrain’s 2013 decision to become the first Arab nation to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization was to “protect Bahrain’s security and stability from Hezbollah’s threats,” according to Bahraini MP Adil al-Asoumi.“Bahrain First Arab Country to Blacklist Hezbollah as Terrorist Organization,” Al Arabiya, April 9, 2013, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/09/Bahrain-first-Arab-country-to-blacklist-Hezbollah-as-terrorist-organization.html.
On July 18, 2012, a suicide bomber exploded aboard a tourist bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver, and wounding 35 Israeli tourists.Agence France-Presse, “Bulgaria court delays trial of Burgas bus bomber accomplices,” Times of Israel, September 26, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/bulgaria-court-delays-trial-of-burgas-bus-bomber-accomplices/. “There are clear signs that say Hezbollah is behind the Burgas bombing,” according to Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev.Angel Krasimirov, “Bulgaria Says Clear Signs Hezbollah behind Burgas Bombing,” Reuters, July 18, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-bulgaria-hezbollah-idUSBRE96H0XI20130718. Bulgarian authorities accused two suspected Hezbollah members, Australian citizen Meliad Farah, 32, a.k.a. Hussein Hussein, and 25-year-old Canadian citizen Hassan El Hajj Hassan, of providing logistical support for the bombing.“Bulgaria Bus Bomb Accused Face Trial,” BBC News, September 12, 2013,http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24069506. Bulgaria turned the information over to EU police but planned to try them in absentia beginning in late 2016.Agence France-Presse, “Bulgaria court error delays trial over Israeli bombing,” Al-Monitor, September 26, 2016, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/afp/2016/09/bulgaria-israel-attack-trial.html. Farah and Hassan were found guilty of being accomplices to the accused suicide bomber. Farah and Hassan were sentenced to life in prison on September 21, 2020. They were also ordered to pay reparations to the families of the victims and those injured in the attack. Farah and Hassan remain at large. According to Bulgarian prosecutors, the two men are linked to Hezbollah.Tsvetelia Tsolova, “Bulgarian court sentences two men to life in prison for 2012 bus bombing,” Reuters, September 21, 2020, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bulgaria-israel-trial-blast/bulgarian-court-jails-two-men-for-life-for-2012-bus-bombing-idUKKCN26C0VG?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1545415_.
A Cypriot court sentenced Lebanese-Swedish national Hossam Taleb Yaccoub to three years in prison in 2013 for planning attacks on Israeli targets. Hezbollah had paid Yaccoub since 2011 to collect information on Israeli tourists, including Israeli flights arriving in Cyprus and registration plates of buses carrying Israeli tourists.“Cyprus Jails Hezbollah Operative,” BBC News, March 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21970309. Yaccoub admitted to collecting the information but denied any plans for an attack.“Cyprus Jails Hezbollah Operative,” BBC News, March 28, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21970309.
Syria is Iran’s main supply route to Hezbollah in Lebanon.“Chapter 3: State Sponsors of Terrorism Overview,” U.S. Department of State, April 30, 2014, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224826.htm. Extending Iran’s influence, Hezbollah has been actively fighting on behalf of the besieged Syrian government in that country’s civil war. Hezbollah actively joined the fighting on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013. In August 2012, the U.S. government sanctioned Hezbollah for its support of the Assad regime in Syria, and said Hezbollah has “directly trained Syrian Government personnel inside Syria and has facilitated the training of Syrian forces by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Qods Force.” “Briefing On the Designation of Hezbollah for Supporting the Syrian Regime,” U.S. Department of State, August 10, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/08/196335.htm. The United States also accused Hezbollah of playing “a substantial role in efforts to expel Syrian opposition forces from areas within Syria.”“State, Treasury on Hezbollah Designation for Aiding Syrian Regime,” U.S. Department of State, August 10, 2012, http://translations.state.gov/st/english/texttrans/2012/08/20120810134572.html#axzz34RC560HQ.
Hezbollah has promised to remain in Syria. In April 2014, Nasrallah said, “The problem in Lebanon is not that Hezbollah went to Syria, but that we were late in doing so. This resistance will remain solid, with its head hung high, protecting its people and its nation.”“Nasrallah: Hezbollah Carried out Border Attack against IDF Troops Last Month,” Jerusalem Post, April 7, 2014, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Nasrallah-Assad-will-not-be-toppled-Israel-concerned-347723. In October 2016, Nasrallah reiterated Hezbollah’s determination to remain engaged in Syria.Angus McDowell, “Hezbollah vows at massive Beirut rally to keep up ‘jihad’ in Syria,” Reuters, October 12, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-ashura-idUSKCN12C1II. In August 2018, the Assad regime formally requested that Hezbollah remain in Syria after the end of the war.Leith Aboufadel, “Hezbollah asked to remain in Syria after war – report,” Al-Masdar News, August 29, 2018, https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/hezbollah-asked-to-remain-in-syria-after-war-report/.
In June 2017, Hezbollah openly threatened to attack U.S. forces in Syria if the United States “crosses any red lines.”“Hezbollah threatens to strike US in Syria over ‘red lines,’” Associated Press, June 7, 2017, https://apnews.com/f349eddd09dd4cf38edbe6ac3ee34be0/Hezbollah-threatens-to-strike-US-in-Syria-over-'red-lines'.
Hezbollah has been involved in multiple violent activities in Syria:
In October 2007, authorities found homemade bombs outside of the U.S. embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. According to Caracas Police Commissioner Wilfredo Borrass, the bombs were “made to make noise and publicity.”Pablo Gato and Robert Windrem, “Hezbollah Builds a Western Base,” NBC News, May 9, 2007, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17874369/ns/world_news-americas/t/hezbollah-builds-western-base/.
Hezbollah plots have also been uncovered in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Thailand, as well as throughout South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and various countries in the Middle East.“State, Treasury on Hezbollah Designation for Aiding Syrian Regime,” U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs, August 10, 2012, http://translations.state.gov/st/english/texttrans/2012/08/20120810134572.html#axzz34RC560HQ.
U.S. and Colombian investigators in 2008 broke up an international cocaine smuggling and money-laundering ring that allegedly used some of its profits to finance Hezbollah. Colombian investigators accused kingpin Chekry “Taliban” Harb of acting as a link between South American cocaine traffickers and Hezbollah. Harb’s ring gave Hezbollah 12 percent of its profits, according to investigators.Chris Kraul and Sebastian Rotella, “Drug Probe Finds Hezbollah Link,” Los Angeles Times, October 22, 2008, http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/22/world/fg-cocainering22.
Mexico:
U.S. officials have accused Hezbollah of using Lebanese Shiite expatriates to negotiate contracts with Mexican crime bosses, using Mexican drug routes to smuggle people and contraband into the U.S. Admiral James G. Stavridis, then commander of the U.S. Southern Command, testified in 2009 that the link between illicit drug trafficking “including routes, profits, and corruptive influence” and “Islamic radical terrorism” is a growing threat to the United States.“EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah Uses Mexican Drug Routes into U.S.,” Washington Times, March 27, 2009, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/27/hezbollah-uses-mexican-drug-routes-into-us/.
United States:
According to Hezbollah agent Dib Harb, Hezbollah cells commit robberies across the world and send the money to Iran, where it is held before being distributed to Hezbollah in Lebanon. He also revealed that Hezbollah produces fake European documents, including passports and visa stamps.Matthew Levitt, “Hezbollah as a Criminal Organisation,” Fathom, Autumn 2013, http://fathomjournal.org/hezbollah-as-a-criminal-organisation/.
Terrorist Financing Targeting Center—designated multiple Hezbollah leaders and financiers on May 16, 2018, in partnership with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Those designated include: Hassan Nasrallah, Naim Qasim, Muhammad Yazbak, Husayn Al-Khalil, Ibrahim al-Amin al-Sayyid, Talal Hamiyah, Ali Youssef Charara, Spectrum Group, Hasan Ebrahimi, Maher Trading, Hashem Safieddine, Adham Tabaja, Al-Inmaa Group, and Al-Inmaa Engineering and Contracting. The Terrorist Financing Targeting Center includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.“Treasury and the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center Partner Together to Sanction Hizballah’s Senior Leadership,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 16, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0387; “U.S. and Saudi Arabia to Co-Chair New Terrorist Financing Targeting Center,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 21, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0092.aspx.
The U.S. designated Kata’ib Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2009. According to the U.S. Treasury, Kata’ib Hizballah is responsible for numerous terror attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and is ideologically linked to Lebanese Hezbollah.“U.S. Declares Iraq-Based Group Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Reuters, July 2, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/02/us-usa-treasury-iraq-idUSTRE56165320090702.
Hezbollah and Hamas both had strong ties to Syria prior to the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. Hamas’s political leadership, long based in Syria, left the country in 2012, driving a wedge between Hamas and Iran. In spite of their respective Sunni-Shiite divisions, Hamas and Hezbollah began to repair ties during 2014. Nasser Chararah, “Hezbollah, Hamas Repair Political Ties during Breakup,” Al-Monitor, July 24, 2014, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/hezbollah-hamas-repair-ties.html. In January 2015, Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif reportedly called for Hezbollah and Hamas to unite in battling Israel.“Hamas calls on Hezbollah to unite fight against Israel,” Reuters, January 22, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/22/us-israel-palestinians-hezbollah-idUSKBN0KV1O920150122. After the Gulf Cooperation Council designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization in March 2016, Hamas signed an Iranian statement of support for Hezbollah.Maayan Groisman, “PA envoy to Iran signs statement of support for Hezbollah,” Jersualem Post, March 10, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Palestinian-Authoritys-envoy-to-Iran-signs-statement-of-support-for-Hezbollah-447476. On June 22, 2022, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Nasrallah in Beirut to discuss the “axis of resistance” to Israel and boosting their groups’ ties.Jack Khoury, “Hezbollah's Nasrallah Meets Hamas Chief Haniyeh in Beirut to Discuss anti-Israel Alliance,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), June 23, 2022, https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2022-06-23/ty-article/.premium/hezbollahs-nasrallah-meets-hamas-chief-haniyeh-in-beirut-to-discuss-anti-israel-alliance/00000181-8faf-dca5-a5c1-9faf517d0000; “Hamas chief arrives in Beirut,” Hamas, June 21, 2022, https://hamas.ps/en/post/4105/Hamas-chief-arrives-in-Beirut; “Hamas Delegation Arrives in Beirut,” Al Manar TV, June 21, 2022, https://english.almanar.com.lb/1627595; “Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh arrives with delegation in Beirut,” Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-709986. In July 2022, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Hezbollah and Hamas were strengthening their military ties to boost Hamas’s control of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.Tzvi Joffre, “Hezbollah working with Hamas on military cooperation – Gantz,” Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-711890.
Iran has supported of Hezbollah since its establishment in the 1980s. Hezbollah modeled its ideology after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1979 Iranian revolution, while Iran saw Hezbollah as an opportunity to extend its influence and cultivated Hezbollah as a proxy force. Iran has thus provided extensive funding, training, and weaponry to Hezbollah through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In the early 1980s, Iran reportedly sent 1,000 IRGC soldiers to provide military training and transform local Shiite militants into Hezbollah.“Bullets to Ballotbox: A History of Hezbollah,” PBS Frontline, May 2003, http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/lebanon/history.html. In its 1985 manifesto, Hezbollah pledged loyalty to Khomeini.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155.
Iran has provided millions of dollars worth of funding and weaponry to Hezbollah over the years. For example, during Hezbollah’s 2006 war with Israel, the IRGC transferred sufficient cash and rockets to Hezbollah to make the terror group a threat to millions of Israeli civilians.Steven Erlanger and Richard A. Oppel Jr, “A Disciplined Hezbollah Surprises Israel With Its Training, Tactics and Weapons,” New York Times, August 7, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/07/world/middleeast/07hezbollah.html. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated in a 2006 report that Iran had transferred 10,000 short-range Katyusha-type rockets, with launchers, capable of reaching 7 to 12 miles inside Israel. In addition, Iran provided an unknown number of longer-range rockets capable of hitting targets almost 50 miles inside Israel, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.Anthony Cordesman, “Iran’s Support of the Hezbollah in Lebanon,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, July 15, 2006, http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/145646_en_060715_hezbollah.pdf. Iran continues to be a primary sponsor of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah and the IRGC’s Quds Force reportedly agreed in January 2010 to cooperate in attacking Israeli, U.S., and Western targets.Matthew Levitt, “Hizballah and the Qods Force in Iran’s Shadow War with the West,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, January 2013, 1, http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyFocus123.pdf. In 2012, Hezbollah pledged to defend Iran against any attack by the United States or Israel.Rana Muhammad Taha, “Nasrallah threatens US on behalf of Iran,” Daily News Egypt, September 4, 2012, http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/09/04/hezbollah-if-attacked-iran-could-attack-us-bases/. In April 2016, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pledged Iran’s continued support for Hezbollah, a “source of honor for the Muslim world.”Ariel Ben Solomon, “Khamenei vows full support for Hezbollah,” Jerusalem Post, April 21, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Khamenei-vows-full-support-for-Hezbollah-451904. In July 2021, IRGC commander Hossein Salami praised Hezbollah’s readiness to confront Israel: “Lebanon and Hezbollah are standing strong against the Zionists, and whenever the enemy wants to move, Hezbollah suffocates them from the very beginning.”“Hezbollah will nip any Zionist move in the bud: IRGC chief,” Tehran Times, July 26, 2021, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/463436/Hezbollah-will-nip-any-Zionist-move-in-the-bud-IRGC-chief.
As anti-government protests broke out in Iran in September 2022 and continued into autumn, Hezbollah reinforced its public support for the Iranian regime. Protests erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, which claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. At least 185 protesters were killed since the protests began. Hezbollah has held rallies in support of the Iranian regime with students from its private educational system, the Mahdi schools. Video emerged of children from the Mahdi schools carrying photos of Khamenei and deceased IRGC-Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.“Lebanon’s Hezbollah Helping Iran In Its Pro-Government Propaganda,” Iran International, October 9, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210091141; Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq?leadSource=uverify%20wall; “Exclusive: IRGC Commanders’ Families Placed in Tehran ‘Safe House,” Iran Wire, September 26, 2022, https://iranwire.com/en/iran/107958-exclusive-irgc-commanders-families-placed-in-tehran-safe-house/; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202209229946. Nasrallah labeled Amini’s death a “vague incident” being “exploited” to “incite against the state.”Anna Ahronheim, “Hezbollah, Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi helping Iran quash protests,” Jerusalem Post, last updated October 17, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-719797. According to other reports, Hezbollah members joined members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces in aiding Iranian forces crack down on protesters.Anna Ahronheim, “Hezbollah, Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi helping Iran quash protests,” Jerusalem Post, last updated October 17, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-719797.
The relationship between Hezbollah and al-Qaeda dates back to the 1990s, when a small group of al-Qaeda members visited Hezbollah training camps in Lebanon.Eben Kaplan, “The Al-Qaeda-Hezbollah Relationship,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 14, 2006, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/al-qaeda-hezbollah-relationship/p11275. Al–Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Hezbollah leader Imad Mugniyeh later agreed during a meeting in Sudan that Hezbollah would provide the fledgling al-Qaida with explosives and training, in exchange for money and manpower.Eben Kaplan, “The Al-Qaeda-Hezbollah Relationship,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 14, 2006, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/al-qaeda-hezbollah-relationship/p11275. Hezbollah reportedly helped al-Qaeda traffic diamonds and gold through Africa following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.Eben Kaplan, “The Al-Qaeda-Hezbollah Relationship,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 14, 2006, http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations-and-networks/al-qaeda-hezbollah-relationship/p11275.
Hezbollah has set up its own media empire in Lebanon through the Lebanese Media Group, which acts as a propaganda tool for the Shiite group.“U.S. Designates Al-Manar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity Television Station Is Arm of Hizballah Terrorist Network,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 23, 2006, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/js4134.aspx. The U.S. designated the Lebanese Media Group as a global terrorist entity and an arm of Hezbollah in 2006.
In May 2018, the Moroccan government accused Hezbollah of providing resources to the West Africa-based Polisario Front. According to the government, Hezbollah has provided training and financial support to the rebels, through Iran, since 2016. Hezbollah allegedly began sending weapons to the rebels in April 2018. Hezbollah and Iran have denied the accusations.“Iran denies supporting Polisario after Morocco severs ties,” Associated Press, May 2, 2018, https://www.apnews.com/8ac8b53a0c474e01b6edf8a745a3823d/Iran-denies-supporting-Polisario-after-Morocco-severs-ties; Amira El Masati, “Morocco cuts ties with Iran over Sahara weapons dispute,” Associated Press, May 1, 2018, https://www.apnews.com/3aebb7da756940c99434b420a45aa84b/Morocco-cuts-ties-with-Iran-over-Sahara-weapons-dispute. A September 2018 bipartisan draft bill in the U.S. House of Representatives noted ties between Hezbollah and the Polisario rebels.“H. Res. 1101,” Congress.gov, accessed November 6, 2018, https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/1101/text. The Polisario Front seeks to end Morocco’s presence in the Western Sahara. Morocco has banned the group, though the United Nations has recognized the Polisario Front as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.“United Nations responds to Morocco’s complaint about the Polisario,” Middle East Monitor, April 4, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180404-united-nations-responds-to-moroccos-complaint-about-the-polisario/; Tom Miles and Ahmed ElJechtimi, “U.N. invites Western Sahara parties for new talks in December,” Reuters, October 1, 2018, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-algeria-polisario/u-n-invites-western-sahara-parties-for-new-talks-in-december-idUSKCN1MB3F0.
In 2005, Iran ordered Hezbollah to train Iraqis to fight U.S.-led Coalition Forces in Iraq. Hassan Nasrallah ordered a covert Hezbollah unit to train members of Jaysh al-Mahdi (“the Mahdi Army,” a.k.a. JAM Special Groups) who then formed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH).“Treasury Designates Hizballah Commander Responsible for American Deaths in Iraq,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 19, 2012, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1775.aspx. AAH models its military tactics and training, political strategy, and social-service programs on Hezbollah.Babak Dehghanpisheh, “Special Report: The fighters of Iraq who answer to Iran,” Reuters, November 12, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/12/us-mideast-crisis-militias-specialreport-idUSKCN0IW0ZA20141112; Liz Sly, “Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq is recasting itself as a political player,” Washington Post, February 18, 2013, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iranian-backed-militant-group-in-iraq-is-recasting-itself-as-a-political-player/2013/02/18/b0154204-77bb-11e2-b102-948929030e64_story.html. AAH’s propaganda emphasizes the group’s ties to both Hezbollah and Iran.Alessandria Masi, “Iraqi Shiite Militias Fighting ISIS Are Using Social Media To Recruit Foreign Fighters,” International Business Times, March 12, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.com/iraqi-shiite-militias-fighting-isis-are-using-social-media-recruit-foreign-fighters-1844118. In December 2017, AAH leader Qais al-Khazali visited Lebanon’s border with Israel on a trip organized by Hezbollah. He released a video clip in which he vowed that AAH would stand with Hezbollah and support the Palestinian cause.“Iraqi Militias Vow to ‘Defend Jerusalem’ After Trump Annoucement, Al Bawaba, December 9, 2017, https://www.albawaba.com/loop/iran-backed-iraqi-militia-leader-filmed-israeli-border-1058660; “Lebanese PM slams visit by Iran-backed Iraqi militia chief to Israeli border,” Times of Israel, December 9, 2017, https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-pm-slams-iran-backed-iraqi-militia-visit-to-israel-border/.
The New IRA is a Northern Ireland-based paramilitary group formed in 2012 from the merger of the Real IRA and other smaller militant groups.Alex Finnis, “Who are the New IRA? The Northern Irish dissident group is claiming responsibility for the parcel bomb attacks,” inews.co.uk, March 13, 2019, https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/new-ira-parcel-bomb-attacks-northern-ireland-dissidents-268825. In September 2020, British intelligence revealed the New IRA began communicating with Hezbollah and Palestinian militant groups in 2017. New IRA leaders traveled to Lebanon in 2018 and reportedly received financial assistance and weaponry, though British security services did not indicate which group provided the weapons.“Hezbollah’s links with Irish terror group exposed,” Arab News, September 13, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1733896/middle-east; John Mooney, “New IRA forges links with Hezbollah,” Times (London), September 13, 2020, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/new-ira-forges-links-with-hezbollah-gq68x8w5w?s=03.
Syria has long been a conduit between Iran and Hezbollah. In 2011, as the Syrian civil war was beginning, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah praised Syrian President Bashar Assad and pledged support for the regime.Nada Bakri, “Hezbollah Leader Backs Syrian President in Public,” New York Times, December 6, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/world/middleeast/hassan-nasrallah-hezbollah-leader-showcases-defiance-in-rare-appearance.html. The terror group took the connection to unprecedented levels of cooperation in 2013 when it entered the Syrian civil war on behalf of Assad.“Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Vows Victory in Syria,” BBC News, May 25, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22669230.
According to news reports, Hezbollah fighters were heavily involved in a battle in the Syrian town of Qusair in May 2013, after the Syrian government launched an offensive to retake the town from rebel forces. The BBC reported the deaths of several Hezbollah fighters, and Hezbollah chief Nasrallah pledged to defend the Syrian regime: “This battle is ours... and I promise you victory.”“Hezbollah Promises Syria ‘Victory,’” BBC News, May 25, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22669230.
Hezbollah has promised to remain in Syria. In April 2014, Hassan Nasrallah said, “The problem in Lebanon is not that Hezbollah went to Syria, but that we were late in doing so. This resistance will remain solid, with its head hung high, protecting its people and its nation.”“Nasrallah: Hezbollah Carried out Border Attack against IDF Troops Last Month,” Jerusalem Post, April 7, 2014, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Nasrallah-Assad-will-not-be-toppled-Israel-concerned-347723. In November 2016, Hezbollah held a public parade in the Syrian city of Qusair, during which the terror group showcased U.S. and Russian armored personnel carriers and tanks. The U.S. State Department issued a statement that it was “gravely concerned” and investigating how Hezbollah acquired U.S. equipment.Sirwan Kajjo, “Hezbollah Stirs Controversy with Military Parade in Syria,” Voice of America, November 18, 2016, http://www.voanews.com/a/hezbollah-controversy-military-parade-syria/3603047.html.
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (“Movement of the Party of God’s Virtuous”) is an offshoot of Iran-backed Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH).Bill Roggio, “Iraqi Shiite militia commander threatens to attack US,” Long War Journal, June 9, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/iraqi-shiite-militia-commander-threatens-to-attack-us.php. Hezbollah aided the IRGC’s Quds Force in creating the so-called Special Groups—Iran-backed militias in Iraq—including AAH.Bill Roggio, “Iraqi Shiite militia commander threatens to attack US,” Long War Journal, June 9, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/iraqi-shiite-militia-commander-threatens-to-attack-us.php. AAH co-founder Akram al-Kaabi founded Nujaba in 2013.Bill Roggio, “Iraqi Shiite militia commander threatens to attack US,” Long War Journal, June 9, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/iraqi-shiite-militia-commander-threatens-to-attack-us.php.
Nujaba has featured images on its website of Kaabi holding hands with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.Bill Roggio, “Iraqi Shiite militia commander threatens to attack US,” Long War Journal, June 9, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/iraqi-shiite-militia-commander-threatens-to-attack-us.php. In August 2017, Kaabi sent a letter to Nasrallah declaring Nujaba’s “complete solidarity and support with your loud cry against the oppressive Zionist regime.”Babak Dehghanpisheh, “The Iraqi militia helping Iran carve a road to Damascus,” Reuters, September 22, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-nujaba/. In March 2017, Nujaba formed the Golan Brigade to capture the Golan Heights from Israel, which took control of the territory in the 1967 Six Day War.Babak Dehghanpisheh, “The Iraqi militia helping Iran carve a road to Damascus,” Reuters, September 22, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-nujaba/.
In a 2011 indictment of Lebanese druglord Ayman Joumaa, U.S. authorities revealed close ties between Hezbollah and Mexican drug cartels, including Los Zetas.Rebecca Anna Stoil, “Ties between Hezbollah and Mexican Drug Cartels Revealed,” Jerusalem Post, December 15, 2012, http://www.jpost.com/International/Ties-between-Hezbollah-and-Mexican-drug-cartels-revealed. Authorities accused Joumaa of conspiring to smuggle over 90,000 tons of cocaine into America, laundering over $250 million for the cartels, and helping to smuggle Colombian drugs through Mexico between 2005 and 2007.Rebecca Anna Stoil, “Ties between Hezbollah and Mexican Drug Cartels Revealed,” Jerusalem Post, December 15, 2012, http://www.jpost.com/International/Ties-between-Hezbollah-and-Mexican-drug-cartels-revealed.
Also in 2011, U.S. prosecutors indicted a Lebanese man on charges of trafficking drugs and laundering money for Colombian drug cartels as well as Los Zetas.Jo Becker, “Beirut Bank Seen as a Hub of Hezbollah’s Financing,” New York Times, December 13, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/world/middleeast/beirut-bank-seen-as-a-hub-of-hezbollahs-financing.html.
After the Shiite rebel Houthi group stormed Yemeni government buildings in September 2014, Yemeni intelligence sources claimed that Hezbollah was aiding the Houthis to “[b]oost their control of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a….”Arafat Madabish, “Are Iran, Hezbollah helping Yemen’s Houthi rebels?” Al Bawaba, September 28, 2014, http://www.albawaba.com/news/are-iran-hezbollah-helping-yemens-houthi-rebels-607901. According to Yemeni officials, Houthi rebels began training in Lebanon in as early as 2010. Yemeni authorities arrested two Hezbollah fighters in Yemen in 2012.Ben Hubbard, “Iran Out to Remake Mideast With Arab Enforcer: Hezbollah,” New York Times, August 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/27/world/middleeast/hezbollah-iran-syria-israel-lebanon.html. Hezbollah has allegedly continued to provide the Houthis with logistical and military support. In June 2018, Saudi forces claimed to have killed eight Hezbollah fighters in Yemen.“Eight Hezbollah fighters killed in Yemen,” The National, June 25, 2018, https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/eight-hezbollah-fighters-killed-in-yemen-1.743932. In August 2018, Hezbollah distributed a photo of Nasrallah meeting with Houthi leaders in Lebanon.“Houthi-Hezbollah meeting is foreboding for Yemen’s future,” The National, August 20, 2018 https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/houthi-hezbollah-meeting-is-foreboding-for-yemen-s-future-1.762027; “Hezbollah leader meets with Yemeni rebels,” Associated Press, August 19, 2018, https://apnews.com/3566cf0205754788aeac006d5d9c3611.
Regional authorities accuse Iran of attempting to use Hezbollah and the Houthis to expand its influence in Yemen as it did in Lebanon. In July 2018, the internationally recognized government in Yemen filed a complaint with the United Nations over Hezbollah’s support of the Houthis.Joyce Karam, “Yemen files complaint against Hezbollah to the UN,” The National, July 11, 2018, https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-files-complaint-against-hezbollah-to-un-1.749112. That September, the Yemeni government called on Lebanon to force Hezbollah to end its interference in the civil war, accusing Hezbollah of prolonging the conflict.“Yemen urges Lebanon to end Hezbollah’s support to Houthi rebels,” YaLibnan, September 30, 2018, http://yalibnan.com/2018/09/30/yemen-urges-lebanon-to-end-hezbollahs-support-to-houthi-rebels/.
After the Gulf Cooperation Council designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization in March 2016, Palestinian Charge d’affaires in Iran, Mohammad Jawhar, signed an Iranian statement of support for Hezbollah.“Maayan Groisman, “PA envoy to Iran signs statement of support for Hezbollah,” March 10, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Palestinian-Authoritys-envoy-to-Iran-signs-statement-of-support-for-Hezbollah-447476.
Russia maintains “contacts and relations” with Hezbollah, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. Russia does not view Hezbollah as a terrorist group because it has never committed a terrorist act on Russian territory, Bogdanov told a press conference in November 2015. He further called Hezbollah and Hamas “legitimate societal-political forces.” “Russia Says Hezbollah, Hamas Aren't Terrorist Groups,” Moscow Times, November 16, 2015, http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-says-hezbollah-hamas-arent-terrorist-groups/549136.html
In Syria, Russian forces have cooperated with Hezbollah fighters. Israeli analysts accuse Hezbollah of learning from Russian forces.Avi Issacharoff, “Thanks in no small to Russia, Hezbollah is now a full-fledged army,” Times of Israel, June 30, 2016, https://www.timesofisrael.com/thanks-in-no-small-part-to-russia-hezbollah-is-now-a-full-fledged-army/. In January 2016, the Daily Beast reported that two Hezbollah commanders had confirmed that Russia is actively aiding the group. According to one of the commanders, Hezbollah and Russia are “strategic allies in the Middle East right now—the Russians are our allies and give us weapons.”Jesse Rosenfeld, “Russia Is Arming Hezbollah, Say Two of the Group’s Field Commanders,” Daily Beast, January 11, 2016, https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-is-arming-hezbollah-say-two-of-the-groups-field-commanders. While accepting of Hezbollah’s aid to the Syrian government, Russia has also sought to restrict Hezbollah from the Syrian-Israeli border to relieve regional tensions. In June 2018, Hezbollah and Iranian forces reportedly withdrew from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights at Russia’s request.Jason Lemon, “Iran, Hezbollah Pull Back From Israeli Border at Russia’s Request, Syrian Watchdog Group Says,” Newsweek, June 21, 2018, https://www.newsweek.com/iran-hezbollah-pull-back-israeli-border-russia-request-syrianwatchdog-group-989909.
La Oficina de Envigado is a South American drug cartel that works with Hezbollah’s External Security Organization Business Affairs Component to facilitate Hezbollah’s drug and money laundering activities. La Oficina de Envigado is responsible for the movement of large amounts of cocaine in the United States and Europe.“Rosie Perper, “DEA uncovers major drug trafficking by Hezbollah to fund global terrorism,” Jerusalem Post, February 2, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/DEA-uncovers-major-drug-trafficking-by-Hezbollah-to-fund-global-terrorism-443575; “DEA and European Authorities Uncover Massive Hizballah Drug and Money Laundering Scheme,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, February 1, 2016, http://www.dea.gov/divisions/hq/2016/hq020116.shtml.
As shown above, Hezbollah is tied to a number of terrorist attacks, terrorist organizations, criminal activities, and insurgencies.
In its capacity as part of the Lebanese government, Hezbollah maintains ties with international leaders. As such, countries that have diplomatic relations with Lebanon have a relationship with Hezbollah by extension. This has caused problems for countries that have sought to sanction Hezbollah without jeopardizing Lebanese relations. For example, in considering whether to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization in 2013, European leaders were wary of how the designation would affect European relations with Lebanon. As a result, the European Union labeled only Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist organization.James Kanter and Jodi Rudoren, “European Union Adds Military Wing of Hezbollah to List of Terrorist Organizations,” New York Times, July 22, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/world/middleeast/european-union-adds-hezbollah-wing-to-terror-list.html.
In October 2016, Lebanon elected MP Michel Aoun—leader of the Hezbollah-allied Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)—as its new president.Ben Lynfield, “Political victory for Hezbollah expected in Lebanon election,” Jerusalem Post, October 31, 2016, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Political-victory-for-Hezbollah-expected-in-Lebanon-election-471274. Aoun signed a memorandum of understanding with Hezbollah in 2006 that formed a political alliance between the FPM and Hezbollah.“Aoun: FPM alliance with Hezbollah kept Lebanon safe,” Daily Star (Beirut), February 6, 2015, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-06/286684-aoun-fpm-alliance-with-hezbollah-kept-lebanon-safe.ashx; “New government announced under PM Saad al-Hariri,” Al Jazeera, December 18, 2016, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/lebanon-announces-government-saad-al-hariri-161218201145680.html. On February 12, 2017, Aoun told Egypt’s CBC television station that Hezbollah has a “complementary role to the Lebanese army” and Lebanon needs the terror group for “as long as the Lebanese army is not strong enough to battle Israel.”Maggie Michael, “Lebanese president in Egypt, day after defending Hezbollah,” Associated Press, February 13, 2017, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a3f55bc0b38845c3b3a46e5cffbc7daa/lebanese-president-egypt-defends-hezbollahs-arms.
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has reportedly referred to both Hezbollah and Hamas as “friends,” though he later stated that he regretted the comment.Rajeev Syal, “Jeremy Corbyn says he regrets calling Hamas and Hezbollah ‘friends,’” Guardian (London), July 4, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/jeremy-corbyn-says-he-regrets-calling-hamas-and-hezbollah-friends. Former British Member of Parliament George Galloway has also been an outspoken supporter of Hezbollah, accusing Israel of war crimes against the Palestinians while defending Hezbollah and the Syrian regime against accusations of terrorism. In 2010, for example, Galloway defended Hezbollah from accusations that it was involved in the 2007 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, saying, “I believe, and I don't know anybody who is objective in this matter who does not believe, that Hezbollah are absolutely innocent of this crime, and it is time that the tribunal looked to the people who benefited from this crime… in Israel.”David J. Climenhaga, “Galloway unedited: ‘Special Tribunal for Lebanon’ Should Have Asked ‘Who Benefited?’” Rabble, January 16, 2011, http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/djclimenhaga/2011/01/galloway-unedited-special-tribunal-lebanon-should-have-asked-who. In 2011, while appearing on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV, Galloway again defended Hezbollah and accused Israel of involvement in Hariri’s murder.“Former British MP George Galloway Accuses Israel of Al-Hariri’s Assassination, Says: ‘NATO Is Worse Than Al-Qadhafi,’” Middle East Media Research Institute, July 26, 2011, http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/3057.htm.
Former U.S. Senator James Abourezk of South Dakota appeared on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV in 2007 and praised the station. He also called Hezbollah and Hamas resistance fighters. The U.S. designation of the groups as terrorist groups was at the behest of Israel, he said. He went on to accuse “the Arabs involved in 9/11” of working with “the Zionists.” “Former U.S. Senator James Abourezk to Hizbullah TV: The Arabs Who Were Involved in 9/11 Cooperated with the Zionists. Alan Dershowitz Is a Real Snake. I Watch Al-Manar TV in the U.S.,” MEMRI, August 30, 2007, http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1551.htm. Abourezk served in the House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973, when he was elected to the Senate, where he served until 1979.“Former U.S. Senator James Abourezk to Hizbullah TV: The Arabs Who Were Involved in 9/11 Cooperated with the Zionists. Alan Dershowitz Is a Real Snake. I Watch Al-Manar TV in the U.S.,” MEMRI, August 30, 2007, http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1551.htm.
As part of the Lebanese government, Hezbollah maintains political ties with multiple Lebanese politicians, including Lebanese President Michel Aoun, the first Lebanese president to openly align himself with Hezbollah.“Lebanon president: We will fight invaders,” CNN, July 22, 2006, http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/21/cnna.lahoud/index.html. In February 2006, Hezbollah and Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) signed a memorandum of understanding, forming a political alliance.“Aoun: FPM alliance with Hezbollah kept Lebanon safe,” Daily Star (Beirut), February 6, 2015, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-06/286684-aoun-fpm-alliance-with-hezbollah-kept-lebanon-safe.ashx; “New government announced under PM Saad al-Hariri,” Al Jazeera, December 18, 2016, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/lebanon-announces-government-saad-al-hariri-161218201145680.html. After Lebanese President Michel Suleiman’s term ended in May 2014, Hezbollah admittedly blocked the appointment of a new president for more than two years because it wanted Aoun to fill the role.“Hezbollah admits being behind obstruction of Lebanon presidential election,” Ya Libnan, September 18, 2016, http://yalibnan.com/2016/09/18/hezbollah-admits-being-behind-obstruction-of-lebanon-presidential-election/. In October 2016, Lebanon’s political parties acceded to Hezbollah’s demands in a power-sharing agreement that led to Aoun’s election and the appointment of Saad Hariri as prime minister.“Michel Aoun elected president of Lebanon,” Al Jazeera, October 31, 2016, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/michel-aoun-elected-president-lebanon-161031105331767.html; Laila Bassam, “‘Vacuum’ looms as Lebanese lawmakers fail to choose a president,” Reuters, May 7, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lebanon-elections-idUKKBN0DN0VX20140507. Aoun publicly thanked Nasrallah and Hezbollah for aiding his election.“Aoun thanks Nasrallah for efforts to end deadlock,” Daily Star (Beirut), October 24, 2016, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Oct-24/377892-aoun-thanks-hezbollah-chief-for-efforts-to-end-presidential-crisis.ashx. Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem declared that Aoun’s ascendency signaled that the Lebanese government was “working toward achievements for the benefit of the country … including us.”Ali Rizk, “Hezbollah’s No. 2: US strike on Syria mere ‘muscle flexing,’” Al-Monitor, April 13, 2017, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/04/lebanon-hezbollah-syria-war-israel-us-military-strikes.html.
In September 2020, the U.S. government sanction-designated two former members of the Lebanese government for aiding Hezbollah. Yusuf Finyanus served as Lebanon’s Minister of Transportation and Public Works from 2016 to 2020. According to the U.S. government, Finyanus used his position to siphon funds from government budgets to ensure that Hezbollah-owned companies won bids for Lebanese government contracts worth millions of dollars. The government also alleged Hezbollah gave Finyanus hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for political favors in 2015. Ali Hassan Khalil served as the Minister of Public Health from 2011 to 2014 and as Minister of Finance from 2014 to 2020. The U.S. government alleged that as Lebanon’s finance minister in 2017, Khalil helped Hezbollah avoid U.S. sanctions by moving money from government ministries to Hezbollah-affiliated industries. Both men were designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.“Treasury Targets Hizballah’s Enablers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 8, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1116.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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