Month: September 2024

A significant portion of the recalled forces belong to Hezbollah’s elite “Radwan Unit”

In a strategic shift following recent Israeli cyber and military attacks, Hezbollah has begun withdrawing key units, including elite forces and special operations teams, from Syria and other Arab countries to bolster its front in southern Lebanon. The move, confirmed by multiple military and security sources, reflects the group’s escalating preparations for a potential confrontation with Israel.

The attack left four members dead, including the patrol commander, Mukhtar Mahtab, al-Masdar writes.

Unknown assailants launched an armed attack on a military patrol belonging to the Afghan militia Zainebiyoun, affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, on Sunday evening near the Taybeh area in the eastern countryside of Homs.

Investigation

The Syrian army is getting its hands on new-looking EU-branded trucks. An undercover investigation found evidence of a secretive supply chain routing vehicles from Europe to Syria through neighboring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon.

Syria’s civil war is one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century. More than half a million people have been killed and about 12 million forced to flee their homes.

Established In: 1979

Established By: Ayatollah Khomeini

Also Known As: IRGC, Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution

Country Of Origin: Iran

Leaders: Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari

Key Members: Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakvar

Operational Area: Iran, Syria, Iraq

Number Of Members: 120,000–125,000

Involved In: Smuggling (including importing illegal alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and satellite dishes, into Iran via jetties not supervised by the Government), Training and supplying Hezbollah and Hamas, Kidnappings of 5 Britons from a government ministry building in Baghdad in 2007

For many years now, Hezbollah has served as a major instrument of Iran to take over Lebanon, not only as a territory but as a sovereign state. Many Western countries would like to avoid that and invest in the former “Pearl of the Middle East”, led by France. These efforts are futile in view of the Iranian circumvention apparatus, who’s main mechanism is allocated in the border crossings between Syria and Lebanon. No matter how much pressure is put on a state level, Hezbollah will survive and even prosper, as long as one does not put an end to Hezbollah’s control over these main smuggling routes.

The paper presents a critical reading of the intellectual and educational aspects of the Muslim Brotherhood’s literature related to citizenship, while demonstrating its urgent need for revision and renewal to keep pace with the requirements of our present age, far from the sermons and messages inherited from Hassan al-Banna and others.

• Iran strongly condemned Israel’s operations in Lebanon, including the detonation of the communications devices, the killing of Ibrahim Aqil, and the extensive airstrikes. However, at this stage, Iran refrains from committing to direct military involvement in the campaign alongside Hezbollah, focusing instead on diplomatic efforts. These efforts are being led by the president and foreign minister, who are actively participating in the UN General Assembly deliberations.
• Additional Iranian threats to avenge Ismail Haniyeh’s death: The Iranian General Staff warned Israel and the United States that it intends to avenge Haniyeh’s death, and the head of the Supreme Leader’s office stated that Iran’s response is expected soon.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that if the Islamic nation used its internal power, it could remove Israel from the heart of the Muslim community. Iranian President Pezeshkian used his speech at the UN General Assembly to accuse Israel of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity.”
• Iran is reportedly mediating talks between Russia and the Houthis over a shipment of anti-ship missiles that could increase the threat to vessels in the Red Sea.
• The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for 13 drone and cruise missile attacks against targets in Israel this past week, five of them in one day. The Israeli Air Force fighter jets and air defense units intercepted most of the launches. Three drones exploded in the Golan Heights and the Arava. There were no casualties.
• The pro-Iranian Shiite militias also announced that they would assist Hezbollah with a shipment of fighters and weapons in the event of an Israeli land invasion of southern Lebanon.
• The militias in Iraq stepped up their security measures following the explosion of Hezbollah’s communications devices. At least 40 Houthi fighters were reportedly killed or wounded in the series of explosions in Lebanon.
• A senior security advisor to Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq was killed in an attack attributed to Israel in Syria.
• Senior Houthi officials threatened that they would continue launching rockets into Israeli territory, saying they are prepared for a long confrontation.

Established In: 1985

Established By: Abbas al-Musawi, Subhi al-Tufayli

Also Known As: Hizballah, Party of Allah, Party of God

Country Of Origin: Lebanon

Leaders: Hassan Nasrallah

Key Members: Hassan Nasrallah

Operational Area: Lebanon

Number Of Members: 65,000

Involved In: Suicide attacks, Terrorist attacks, Recruiting terrorists, Terror financing, Kidnapping