extremism
Lebanese Hezbollah: Iran’s loyal ally
Pro-Iranian Hezbollah fighters take an oath during a staged military exercise in the southern Lebanese village of Aramta. photo
© Marwan Naamani/dpa
Hezbollah, which is financed primarily from Tehran, is considered far more powerful than Hamas. Its military arm is classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union.
The group is also represented in parliament in the multi-confessional Mediterranean country. It is financed mainly from Tehran. Hezbollah is committed to charity, but also has a military wing that, according to estimates, has several thousand fighters. This is classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union, and in Germany there has been a ban on activity for the entire Hezbollah since 2020.
Large arsenal of missiles and combat drones
Hezbollah is considered far more powerful than Hamas. Their influence extends deep into the crisis-paralyzed Lebanese state. The organization primarily controls the south on the border with Israel, Shiite-inhabited districts of the capital Beirut and the Bekaa Valley in the north of the country. Under Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, it has steadily expanded its influence in the past with support from Tehran.
In addition to better training of its fighters, the Shiite organization has a large arsenal of missiles and combat drones. During his time in office, Nasrallah forged alliances with politicians from different camps in order to expand his influence. There is also sharp criticism of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Many Lebanese were horrified by allegations that Hezbollah had killed former hopeful and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Critics also say the group aims to change the Western-style identity of many Lebanese.