Hezbollah Confirms Receipt of Russian Arms

Two Hezbollah field commanders have recently revealed that Russia has been aiding their organization with weapons. The two commanders stated that the Russian government has facilitated the organization with long-range tactical missiles, laser guided rockets, and anti-tank weapons. One of the commanders went as far to claim, “We are strategic allies in the Middle East right now—the Russians are our allies and give us weapons.”

Hezbollah serves as a de facto tool of Iranian foreign policy. The organization was created soon after the Iranian revolution, and has since been seen as a Iranian proxy organization. Since its inception, Hezbollah has opposed Israeli influence within the region, and has engaged in multiple skirmishes and wars against the Jewish state.

Neither the government of Russia nor Iran has been shy of admitting their alliance with the terrorist organization. Russia entered the conflict in Syria in order to back the Syrian regime. Vladimir Putin’s government would like to see President Assad reestablish control of his nation. In order to help Assad reestablish control, Russia has involved the its air force in the conflict and, as previously stated, has increased arms to Syria, Iran, and, as of recently, Hezbollah.

In doing so Russia is securing its own strategic interest. Russia is less concerned with Syrian and Iranian interests as much as keeping itself as a powerful actor in the Middle East. Russia seeks to counter U.S. interest in the region by propping up anti-American states and actors and strengthening Iran and making sure it can fund its proxy states. Russia’s most important warm water ports, Tartus, is located in Syria, which Russia cannot afford to lose. All of these Russian interests have driven Putin to aid Hezbollah and find a way to defeat the Syrian rebel groups whom they view as the proxy of the U.S. and other nations, i.e. Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in armed conflict for years, and any increased arming of Hezbollah could have grave consequences for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Following the outcome of the 2006 Lebanon war, Hezbollah has been reluctant to engage the Israelis directly from Lebanese territory. For Israel’s part, they have shown, through the killing of senior leader Samir Kuntar and Jihad Mughniyeh, they are equally unwilling to tolerate Hezbollah threats from Syrian territory.

Despite taking heavy casualties in Syria, Hezbollah will remain active in the fighting as long as Iran seeks support against the Syrian rebels. However, once the conflict has subsided, Hezbollah’s focus will again shift to Israel.