The US has sent indirect military aid to Hezbollah via the Lebanese Army. Some Hezbollah successes registered may have been because of this. The United States still lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, yet undercover is willing to collaborate with them against ISIS.
Sep 22, 2014, 09:30PM | Rachel Avraham
Hezbollah terrorists Photo Credit: Channel 2
The United States has reportedly sent indirect military aid to
Hezbollah, according to a report in the Jewish Press. The assistance,
which came in the form of new weapons, was channeled via the Lebanese
Army, who Mohammed Atif, the new head of public relations for Hezbollah,
claims closely coordinates with the terror organization. Lebanese
sources also allege that US intelligence reached Hezbollah as well.
According to Arutz Sheva, following ISIS
temporarily conquering Arsal last month, the United States decided to
send weapons to the Lebanese Army to fight against the terror
organization, even though they coordinate with Hezbollah. The leaked
intelligence on the US indirect aid to Hezbollah might help to explain
why Hezbollah was successful in their first UAV bombing targeting Jabhat
Al Nusra, the Jewish Press reported. According to the New York Times,
American intelligence also helped Hezbollah stop suicide attacks in
South Beirut.
The New York Times noted that Hezbollah views the ISIS crisis as a means to gain international legitimacy. The United States presently lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. “We need to open up a new page with the world media, with the Arabs and internationally,” Mohammed Atif told the New York Times. While Hezbollah still objects to American influence, the New York Times claims that the number one priority of Hezbollah right now is to stop ISIS. ISIS has beheaded numerous Shiites, claiming that they are apostates, and threatens to destabilize all of Lebanon.
According to Arutz Sheva, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is greatly concerned about the ISIS “monster,” calling the battle against the terror organization “a battle of life and death no more important than fighting the Israeli enemy, as ISIS’ actions and objectives only serve Israel.” Arutz Sheva noted that Hezbollah called for the annihilation of Israel numerous times and waged many terror operations against the country.
Ali Risk, a Lebanese analyst for Al Mayadeen, stressed in the New York Times that America cannot publicly support Hezbollah since it could potentially upset some US allies, such as Israel. However, “what happens underneath is something totally different. If the strikes are confined to ISIS, Hezbollah, even if it might not say so in public, would welcome them.”
According to a report in the Jewish Press, US President Barack Obama has discussed starting airstrikes in Syria as well, like what has been occurring within Iraq over the past several weeks. However, it has been noted that he has yet to implement this measure. Both Russia and Iran have warned against the US attacking Syrian airspace without Assad’s permission. As long as the US government is supporting the Syrian rebels, the Jewish Press noted that this permission is unlikely to be forthcoming. Atif told the New York Times, “Of course, Syria benefits from hitting the terrorist groups.” However, they are only open to this assistance if it is “genuine.” Supporting the Free Syrian Army would not be considered genuine from Hezbollah’s perspective.
The New York Times noted that Hezbollah views the ISIS crisis as a means to gain international legitimacy. The United States presently lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. “We need to open up a new page with the world media, with the Arabs and internationally,” Mohammed Atif told the New York Times. While Hezbollah still objects to American influence, the New York Times claims that the number one priority of Hezbollah right now is to stop ISIS. ISIS has beheaded numerous Shiites, claiming that they are apostates, and threatens to destabilize all of Lebanon.
According to Arutz Sheva, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is greatly concerned about the ISIS “monster,” calling the battle against the terror organization “a battle of life and death no more important than fighting the Israeli enemy, as ISIS’ actions and objectives only serve Israel.” Arutz Sheva noted that Hezbollah called for the annihilation of Israel numerous times and waged many terror operations against the country.
Ali Risk, a Lebanese analyst for Al Mayadeen, stressed in the New York Times that America cannot publicly support Hezbollah since it could potentially upset some US allies, such as Israel. However, “what happens underneath is something totally different. If the strikes are confined to ISIS, Hezbollah, even if it might not say so in public, would welcome them.”
According to a report in the Jewish Press, US President Barack Obama has discussed starting airstrikes in Syria as well, like what has been occurring within Iraq over the past several weeks. However, it has been noted that he has yet to implement this measure. Both Russia and Iran have warned against the US attacking Syrian airspace without Assad’s permission. As long as the US government is supporting the Syrian rebels, the Jewish Press noted that this permission is unlikely to be forthcoming. Atif told the New York Times, “Of course, Syria benefits from hitting the terrorist groups.” However, they are only open to this assistance if it is “genuine.” Supporting the Free Syrian Army would not be considered genuine from Hezbollah’s perspective.
No comments:
Post a Comment