Hezbollah State in the State Prof Dr Bords

Hezbollah – State in the State Prof. Dr. Bordás Mária National University of Public Service Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies 2019.

What is Hezbollah? • Militant Shia terrorist network based in Southern Lebanon and funded by Iran • Cited aim is to destroy Israel while turning Lebanon into a Muslim state • Call themselves the “Party of God, ” and provide social services to the local population to gain support • Active political party in Lebanon

Lebanon • • • Independence: after the 2 nd World War Population: mostly Arab (95%) Maronite Christian: 39% Sunni (majoiry) – Síia (druz and alavite) Confessionalism: parliament elected proportionally based on the number of religious groups • President: Christian – Prime minister: sunni – president of the parliament: shía

Peace and War in Lebanon • • Peace: during 30 years: „Paris of the Middle East” Civil War: 1973 -1989: among the religious groups 1982: Establishment of Hezbollah Recent political conflict: prime minister: Szaad Hariri (his father, the former prime minister, Rafic Hariri was killed by the Hezbollah and the Syrian intelligence service) Saud Arabia took him in house arrest in Rijad and pressurized to resign (in Paris) – reason: cannot hinder the Hezbollah

Area of Hezbollah Control Hezbollah Flag

Background of the Conflict • After the 1 st Arab-Israeli war in 1949: 100. 000 Palestine refugees in Lebanon • 1972: Arafat and his organizations (Fatah, PLO) - Moved to South Lebanon - Controlled the Palestines - Attacks against Israel • Israeli response: air strikes in South Lebanon • Shia population: fled to Beirut

Political Tension Reason: Palestine refugees Tension: between the Maronite Christians and the Muslims Uprising: - Lebanese National Movement (Muslim) - Phalang (Maronite Christians) - Beirut split into militias Foreign intervention: Syria and Israel

Civil War 1978: - Israel attacked the Palestinians in South Lebanon - Moved until Beirut - Attacked the Palestine refugee camps around Beirut (General Sharon – scandal) Civil war: - Militias with each other and the Palestinians - Muslim split: shía Amal - Christian split: government, but the leader was killed, assasinations

Foreign Intervention Syria 2005: - Final withdrawal, also from the Bekaa valley (after assassinating the sunni Rafic Hariri) Israel: 1982: - Attacked South Lebanon again - Surrounded the Palestinian refugee camps and wanted to eliminate them - Arafat and the PLO had to leave to Tunisia

Creation of Hezbollah’s initial goals were declared as to: - “Put an end to any colonialist entity in Lebanon, - bring the Phalangists to justice for the crimes they had perpetrated, - and establish an Islamic regime in Lebanon. ” Actions: - Suicide attacks against the US and France military (they withdrew) - Against Israel, withdawal (1985) - Security zone (25 km) – to protect Israel

Development of Hezbollah • Amal: was strenghtened by Syria – was present in South Lebanon • South Lebanese Army (supported by Israel) • Iranian Revolutionary Guard: to expel Israel from South Lebanon - Political power vacuum: used by Iran and established the Hezbollah (Khomeini Ayatollah) - Eliminated Amal and South Lebanese Army

Nasrallah sheik Leader of the Hezbollah: since 1983 – until recently

„We shall not surrender, we shall not come to terms with Israel…and we will continue to believe and proclaim that Israel…must be erased from existence” Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah Secretary-General 18/09/2009

Wars with Israel • In 1993, 1996, 2000 and 2006 (blockade, field military forces to Lenanon) - Short wars (response to countinuous attacks) - Israeli aim: disarming the Hezbollah and reach armistice - Hezbollah: missile attacks, kidnapping Israeli soldiers for ransom, sucide attacks, car bombing Israel could not reach its aim!!!

H e z b o l l a h The Second Lebanon War in 2006 Israel won but not with K. O.

UN Resolution UN resolution 1701: the Lebanese government has to disarm Hezbollah and demilitarize the territory - Did not happen: the Lebanese government recognized it in 2008 - Reason: weak government - UN peackeeping is still present - Supported by the shiia population

U n c l a s s i f i e d | | S l i d e 1 7 UNSCR 1701 An attempt to change reality in Southern Lebanon Arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including “the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL”. Implementation of relevant provisions (UNSCR 1559 and 1680) requiring the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon (other than LAF). No foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its Government. No sales or supply of arms to Lebanon, except as authorized by the government.

Organization Profile „State in the State” Military Political Socio. Economic Professional and well -trained army Modus Vivendi with the government Operates primarily in Shiite regions Guerilla warfare techniques and civilian shield Increased influence following governmental recognition Ideological indoctrination Strategic force (UAV’s, missiles, etc) “Blocking third” veto right Largely backed by Iran Terror component

Hezbollah as a Political Party • Strong political support by Iran • Strong political influence on the Lebanese government - the most influential political party - Recognized territory and political organization – „State in the State” - Seats in the Lebanese parliament - 11 members in the Lebanese government - Right to veto on government decision

Hezbollah as a Public Administration • Providing welfare services: - Social welfare programs - Institute of Marthyrs: social aid to the family of the fighters who died - Health care • Educational services: schools (fundamentalist Islam) • Economic services: - Training prgram for the farmers - Environmental programs in agriculture

Funding • Western analysts estimate Hezbollah’s budget to be $200 -$500 billion annually • Hezbollah is funded - By shia Islamist organizations (Iran, Syria, charitable organizations, individual donations, - Organized crime: illegal arms trading, cigarette smuggling, counterfeiting, credit card fraud, theft, illegal telephone exchanges, and drug trafficking

Iranian Intervention • Particpating in weapon transfer • Plays an active role in training and bankrolling Hezbollah organization • Providing assistance for its political activity Training IRANIAN WEAPON FOUND IN LEBANON

Influence - Has active cells in many Western countries all over the world, and in Israel, - Attacks on Americans, Jews, and Westerners – long list (embassies, airports, military targets, civilians) 2012: attack in Burgas airport (Bulgaria) – 2 Israeli buses with tourists Long list of terrorist attacks in Western cuntries!

One of the most dangerous terrorist organizations • Excellent military capabilities • High level Training • Fanatics • Enjoying fantastic financial, moral support from Iran

Organization of the Hezbollah • Leader: Nasrallah (shía religious scientest, military and state leader) – and deputy • Shura Council • Councils: executive, juditial, political, jihad - Executive council: education, social welfare, culture - Political council: information propaganda, party matters, foreign affairs - Jihad council: military operations • Media: TV channel, newspapers

H e z b o l l a h Organization Profile

The Hezbollah Program • • Devotion to Iran and the shia movement Enemies: US, Israel, other Western countries Aim: Islamic State and elimination of Israel Source of the law: sharia, based on Quran, sunna, hadis In the practical reality: - Destabilize Israel - Integration in the Lebanese politics - Electional promises: peace, wealth, reforms, employment, economc growth, liberty rights

Military in Hezbollah

Fanatic Followers

Miltary of Hezbollah – Regular Army

Advanced Weapons Hezbollah possess dozens of UAVs, as used in the Second Lebanon War, coastal missiles, anti-aircraft guns and more. This is backed by the Scud and M 600 rockets, which allow Hezbollah to target the Israeli front from far within the Lebanese strategic depth. THE ZILZAL THE IRANIAN-MADE ABABIL UAV C 802 COASTAL MISSILE SYRIAN 220 M ROCKET LAUNCHER SAGGER ATGM MISSILES

Missile Arsenal • Hezbollah has at least 80, 000 missiles hidden throughout Southern Lebanon km Katyusha Shahin 2 Fajr-3 Fajr-5 Arash Oghab Zelzal-2 IGLA 9 K 338 SAM C-802 Tondar 20 -45 km 29 km 45 km 75 km 20 km 45 km 100 -400 5 -7 km altitude 400 km antiship

H e z b o l l a h Hezbollah Today Fight in Syria Recruitment

Hezbollah Today Arsenal Infrastructure Smuggling UN Infractions

H e z b o l l a h Smuggling

Smuggling Model Syria Hezbollah Storage Iran IRGC Syria Functioning as a front-line proxy of Iran in the region, Hezbollah relies upon the massive weapon transfers as a lifeline for its operations. The smuggling takes place by air, land sea, relying on pivotal Syrian support as well. Swap Zones Beka’a Valley Beirut Lebanon Depot South of the Litani

Conclusion • Hezbollah has continued - to expand its military capabilities, - increased the scope of its infrastructure - and has gained political recognition as a inherent member of the government. International implied acceptance of this trend has left it confident in its power and the right to use it, despite its status as an illegal non-state terrorist entity. Syrian civil war: the shiia Assad government has won with Iranian help – shia cresent has been strenghtening – direct danger to Israel!

Questions?