Hezbollah chief says group lost critical arms supply route from Iran with Syrian ouster of Assad
Hezbollah’s chief recently admitted that the group lost its crucial supply route from Iran through Syria with the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. This revelation marks the first public acknowledgment of the significant impact of the Syrian upheaval on the Iranian proxy. Hezbollah, which had supported Assad and engaged in conflict with Israel, relied on this supply line for weapons to counter Israeli campaigns.
In a televised address, Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, acknowledged the loss of the military supply line through Syria but emphasized that it was just a minor setback in the broader context of the resistance movement. He expressed optimism that the supply line could be restored with a new regime in Syria and affirmed the group’s adaptability in finding alternative ways to procure weapons.
The ousting of Assad has strained Syria’s relationship with Iran, as groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have criticized Syria for becoming a “playground for Iran.” Hezbollah had previously fought off rebel groups on behalf of Assad but withdrew its forces from Syria as Assad’s grip on power weakened.
Following the death of Hassan Nasrallah in Israeli airstrikes, Naim Qassem took over as Hezbollah’s secretary general. Hezbollah and Iran had intervened in Syria’s civil war but refrained from defending Assad during the regime’s downfall. Israel took advantage of the chaos to carry out airstrikes targeting Syrian military assets and established a presence in the Golan buffer zone for the first time since 1973.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel’s actions in Syria are aimed at protecting its borders rather than interfering in the country’s internal affairs. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to preventing the rebuilding of Hezbollah through targeted strikes as necessary.
Despite the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, tensions remain high, with Hezbollah escalating cross-border attacks in support of Hamas. Naim Qassem defended the ceasefire as a strategic decision to halt Israeli aggression in Lebanon while reaffirming Hezbollah’s commitment to resistance against Israel.
In conclusion, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East continues to evolve with the fall of Assad and the changing dynamics between Iran, Hezbollah, Israel, and other regional actors. The repercussions of these developments are likely to shape future conflicts and alliances in the region.
