Hezbollah

Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria (May 19 – June 1, 2023)

Hezbollah celebrated its annual "Resistance and Liberation Day," held to mark the IDF's living south Lebanon in 2000. Hezbollah secretary general, Hasan Nasrallah, gave a speech boasting of the organization's military capabilities, stressing the concept of the "unity of the arenas" and threatening Israel with a battle on multiple fronts. Hezbollah held two military exercises in south Lebanon to demonstrate its capabilities. In the larger, more widely media-covered exercise, operatives using live ammunition simulated taking control of an IDF post or Israeli community and abducting IDF soldiers, and displayed the organization's weapon Lebanese opposition sources criticized Hezbollah for holding the exercise. American sources reported Hezbollah operatives were undergoing training for an attack on American soldiers in Syria.
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Hezbollah holds a military display in south Lebanon and threatens Israel

On May 21, 2023, Hezbollah held a military exercise in south Lebanon using live fire, which was well-covered by the media. The organization displayed its capabilities, reiterated its intention to obliterate the State of Israel and promoted the "unity of the arenas" narrative. Hezbollah operatives simulated breaking through Israel's border, taking control of an Israeli post or community and abducting soldiers. Weapons such as multiple-barrel rocket launchers mounted on armored vehicles, quadcopters and machine guns were displayed, but no missiles or UAVs. In ITIC assessment, Hezbollah tried to send a message that it would not lay down its arms or abandon its role as "Lebanon's defender," and promote the "unity of the arenas" narrative to the region in general and its "resistance axis" collaborators in particular.
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria (May 5-18, 2023)

Hezbollah plans to hold a live-fire military exercise near the Israeli border on May 21, 2023. On May 12, 2023, Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech in which he represented the most recent round of fighting in the Gaza Strip as an achievement for the resistance axis. He also warned that any targeted killing in the future would not go without a response. The Lebanese minister of energy announced that in September 2023 the TotalEnergies and ENI oil and natural gas-drilling companies would begin drilling in Block 9 off the coast of Lebanon. Reservations are increasing in Lebanon regarding the candidacy of Suleiman Frangieh for president; he is close to Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.
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The Nujaba Movement – the Movement of the Noble Ones: One of the dominant pro-Iranian militias in Iraq

The Nujaba Movement (or the Movement of the Noble Ones, is an Iraqi Shiite pro-Iranian militia established in 2013 by Sheikh Akram Abbas al-Kaabi and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Qods Force. It is one of the largest militias in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).The Nujaba Movement numbers 8,000-10,000 operatives organized in three brigades, two based in Iraq and one in Syria. Regarding Israel, it should be noted that the militia is part of the Axis of Resistance led by Iran, and its goal is to act to “liberate” the Golan Heights and destroy the State of Israel.
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Iranian Activities in East Africa Nature and Significance

Iran engages in both overt and covert activities in East Africa. Its overt activities are the establishment of political, economic and ideological-educational ties with countries in the region to strengthen its local status, contribute to the Iranian economy by circumventing the oppressive sanctions imposed by the United States and other Western countries, and to counterbalance Saudi Arabia's growing influence and status in the region. In ITIC assessment, Iranian activities pose two significant challenges for Israel. Indirectly, they threaten Israel's relations and cooperation with East African countries, and directly, Iran's covert activities mark Israel interests, facilities and civilians as attack targets, as the prevention of such Iranian initiatives has shown in recent years.
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Spotlight on Iran (April 27-10 May, 2023)

Iranian President paid an official visit to Syria. Fifteen agreements for bilateral cooperation were signed at a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. While in Syria Raisi also met with families of pro-Iranian militia fighters, the heads of the Palestinian factions in Damascus and a delegation of Hezbollah officials. At a meeting with the Syrian defense minister, Iran's defense minister expressed Iran's willingness to supply Syria with advanced weapons. The head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization announced that Iran was prepared to repair and renovate Syria's airfields, including the international airport in Damascus. Sources in eastern Syria reported the recent formation of two new pro-Iranian militias. Iran condemned Israel's targeted killings of three leading PIJ terrorists and issued an urgent call for the Muslim world to undertake measures that would deter Israel.
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