Hizbullah Mobilizes ahead of Potential U.S. Syria Strike and Fighters Switch Off Their Phones
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Hizbullah is redeploying its forces ahead of possible U.S. strikes on Damascus, witnesses said on Monday.
The reports come as the daily Al-Akhbar said that the group had "called on all its officers and members to man their positions."
Residents speaking to Agence France Presse in the southern city of Tyre said there appeared to be a general mobilization of the group's members, even if such a movement was not being publicly discussed.
Many Hizbullah fighters have disappeared from local villages in the last five days, though strict security measures around group headquarters and checkpoints have remained in place, residents said.
The situation is the same in the Bekaa Valley, a stronghold of Hizbullah.
Residents said fighters, including gunners, had left their regular posts, and switched off their mobile phones to ensure they could not be traced.
In the southern suburbs of Beirut, also a Hizbullah bastion, teenagers have replaced more experienced fighters at checkpoints inspecting cars entering the district.
A party spokesman declined to comment on the reported redeployment of the group's forces.
On Monday, Al-Akhbar also reported that the "Syrian army has mobilized units that have not participated until now in the conflict."
"It has established an operations room... with Hizbullah and the units in charge of missiles are at an unprecedented level of alert," the daily added.
"The Islamic resistance has called on all its officers and members to man their positions," the newspaper reported.
The reported mobilization comes after U.S. President Barack Obama said he favored the use of military action against Syria in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus.
But Obama has said he will seek approval from Congress for any strikes in response to the attack, for which the Syrian regime denies responsibility.
Hizbullah is a close ally of the Syrian regime, and has dispatched fighters to battle alongside Syrian troops and against rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar Assad.
Wadah Charara, an expert on the party, says it commands around 30,000 fighters, including 10,000 with extensive combat experience.
Between 800 and 1,200 Hizbullah fighters are thought to have taken part in the Syrian regime's battle to recapture the town of Qusayr in central Homs province earlier this year.
02 September 2013, 17:26
1313
apparently they are stupid and will drag us to a war that will destroy them and our country.
03 September 2013, 05:55
03
If this is what Israel wants to take from Lebanon or more, then how come these issues are not addressed head on with the appropriate people and venues, made a record of it, brought to the U.N's and the whole world's attention or whoever with meaningful position is willing to listen to us, discussed and debated in Lebanon every day until we force them to either willingly or unwillingly disclose their true intentions. I am sure Israel needs and want water from Lebanon. So why not negotiate a meaningful exchange regarding delivery of water, make the Palestinians' cause part of it and rid ourselves of this deadly Israeli/Palestinian conflict the Lebanese have dragged into?
02 September 2013, 17:30
1214
i distrust these anonymous reports, why are there so many these days?
02 September 2013, 17:31
1114
ps: naharnet "Between 800 and 1,2000 Hizbullah fighters are thought to have taken part in the Syrian regime's battle to recapture the town of Qusayr "
i think there's one too many 0's above.
02 September 2013, 18:28
1011
read carefully, not all of it. many parts of the article are from "residents" and AFP
02 September 2013, 18:20
136
it is not about feelings! it is about reality.
I believe you should wake up to the reality of things.
even if this is what the US wants as you say, why are hizbushaitan so stupid to want to drag us into such a fight?
war is going to be on our territory, so what is it the US will loose? but definitely we have a lot to loose...
02 September 2013, 19:35
15
THEY WILL LOOSE SOME OLD MISSILE,AND REPLACE THEM WITH A NEW ONES,AND WE WILL LOSE OUR COUNTRY ISN'T THAT FAIR...waaaw back in the days when they use to here Roman army coming for revenge some idiots like today,they use to brain wash people of that country ,and make them go to war,at the end they end up crucified,same happening here but different end.
02 September 2013, 18:22
157
Actually, it has been proven the deadliest terrorist acting in Lebanon is the Syrian regime, so keep your stupid rhetoric to yourself as it is only propaganda.
02 September 2013, 18:25
153
hope hizb iran fighters become the gold medal champions at tomahawk catching--they may even get to be on tv as the missiles barrel down at them. the last view of mortality.
02 September 2013, 19:16
182
they made a choice of fighting in another country against the wishes of the lebanese people and government---they deserve what's coming to them.
and ps, i don't consider them lebanese. they are mercenaries paid for and controlled by iran, not some self proclaimed resistance. start calling thing on what they are instead of what they tell you they are.
02 September 2013, 18:28
09
Haile, are tarik jdidi residents kurds? Or did hariri (if what you say is true) only choose kurds for this militia? I dont get it. Please enlighten me on this issue as i am interested in knowing what you meant.
02 September 2013, 19:22
168
Great, we have terrorist teenagers screening our cars in Beirut.
02 September 2013, 19:39
85
Some people here either use to much heroin or simply live in fairy tale land. The US running out of oil in 2 years made me laugh for a while.
02 September 2013, 21:09
04
Flamercatcher don't forget sayed Hassan was a soldier before he became a leader... He has done his duty. He doesn't come out in public because whenever he makes an appearance the whole Israeli air force scrambles there jets because they fear him.. Plus his voice puts fear in every Israeli on this planet..
02 September 2013, 21:52
85
The glorious militia got their marching orders when Nasrallah was summoned to Iran. For all the delusional Hizbullah cheerleaders, wake up... they fight for the Axis not not for Lebanon.
Hizbullah is preparing to once again bring war and destruction into Lebanon in defense of a 40 year dictatorship that has harm more Lebanese than any other country.
02 September 2013, 22:49
46
Southern. The assads are the real problem of lebanon. And I don't care abt the rest of the ME.
02 September 2013, 23:32
55
people walking around with portraits make me sick. THEY'RE SICK!
03 September 2013, 01:56
61
Funny, they think that by turning off their cell phones, they can't be found?? Funny
03 September 2013, 02:17
27
History does not lie, whenever the Americans have been involved in Military Operations with a Sovereign Country always left it much worse off than it was before any US involvement . Iraq , Afghanistan , Libya , even in other regions such as Panama, Ecuador , Hati, Cuba ,Guatemala are just a few examples .
President Obama knows too well about US war mongreling , that is why he passed the buck onto congress for a decision about a Syrian attack , even he knows it is only a benefit for Israel not for the US , but I hope the Amercan people would pressure their Representatives into voting Against such attacks which I'm sure they will !
Signed Wolf ...
03 September 2013, 03:27
00
France, italic, Germany, japan, south Korea, the Philippines..
03 September 2013, 03:57
24
To speak plainly as an American, I think you give the American people too much credit. I believe they don't care or think enough.
03 September 2013, 05:42
04
Incorrect, I as an American absolutely do care. Do not want to see us touch Syria. Assad is no soldier, his time in the military was only priming for his Presidency. Syria will be importing oil soon. rbaker I understand your hate, I hope your poetry will sooth your soul.
03 September 2013, 09:20
40
you a missing a big chunk of history my man... need to read more about WW I WW II and korea....and no, the house and congress will likely approve the strike with AN AFTER PLAN TO GET ASSAD TO DEAL ......because obama is smarter than Bush and will try to "milk" out a strike before it happens
03 September 2013, 19:43
03
Israel is strongly opposed to a US strike on Syria and does not benefit at all from weakening the Assad regime which has enjoyed a truce and an unspoken peace for over 30 years.
As an American who speaks normally only speaks for himself, I can share with you that it is amply evident that the majority of the American people do not which to be involved in Syria. PERIOD, no need to write congress, because congress will do what it always does without the approval of the people, example Obama Care. Until you've lived in the US for an extended period of time, you have no business predicting what the American people want or don't want. All you need to know is Israel is opposed to a strike on Syria and most likely congress will observe Israel's objection. If by some mysterious logic a strike occurs, it will be coordinated with Iran and Syria with assurances HA will not respond.
03 September 2013, 05:38
14
I was very optimistic when Honda Motors produced and tested "Hydrogen" powered Accord Sedans for two consecutive generations, but for some reason it stopped. I think the next energy source to power our cars, vehicles, planes, etc. should be as crucial to automobiles as the invention of automobiles was to transportation. So, my advise to those oil rich countries and/or people who blame the U.S. for stealing/looting their precious oil, is to research, design and come up with the next energy source that would replace the need for oil excavation. This way, they can keep their oil, and profit from the sale of the new energy source.
03 September 2013, 07:25
12
no one asked you to defend anybody. And fyi, we Christians were there before you. And stop calling everyone a jew. Jesus was a jew and Mohammad was a married to a jew. And I hope the Americans blow Assad and his cronies, ie HIzballah, to hell.
03 September 2013, 09:23
40
wake up old man , who needs the oil under the sea.....canada has enough tar oil just north of the USA border for decades .......wake up
03 September 2013, 12:45
40
and the usual leader of the usual idiots and the idiot on chief is.. drum rollllll... THOMAS BOULOS!!!
03 September 2013, 19:50
04
Israel is strongly opposed to a US strike on Syria and does not benefit at all from weakening the Assad regime with which it has enjoyed a truce and an unspoken peace for over 30 years.
As an American who normally peaks only for himself, I can share with you that it is amply evident that the majority of the American people do not which to be involved in Syria. PERIOD, no need to write congress, because congress will do what it always does without the approval of the people, example Obama Care. Until you've lived in the US for an extended period of time, you have no business predicting what the American people want or don't want. All you need to know is Israel is opposed to a strike on Syria and most likely congress will observe Israel's objection. If by some mysterious logic a strike occurs, it will be coordinated with Iran and Syria with assurances HA will not respond.
04 September 2013, 05:18
01
Bandoul:
"Israel is strongly opposed to a US strike on Syria and does not benefit at all from weakening the Assad regime with which it has enjoyed a truce and an unspoken peace for over 30 years."
I've read otherwise. Besides, a better replacement for Al-Assad is a good idea. Especially if you want the US to go after Iran.
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Polls-Israelis-want-US-Europe-to-attack-Syria-but-against-IDF-intervention-324787 Israelis want the US to strike, but for Israel to abstain.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/aipac-syria-_n_3862369.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
""It is imperative to adopt the resolution to authorize the use of force," the powerful Israel lobby said in a statement. It urged members of Congress to "take a firm stand that the world’s most dangerous regimes cannot obtain and use the most dangerous weapons." "
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/AIPAC-say-they-support-US-strike-on-Syria-325245
04 September 2013, 05:19
01
AIPAC calls for the use of force: http://www.aipac.org/en/news-hub?id={3D36D091-5FD8-48EA-837A-9DE611A29922}#
"AIPAC will be lobbying in favor of Congress authorizing the President to use military force in Syria."
" We believe that Congress’ failure to grant the President this authority would be interpreted as a sign of American weakness, and cast doubt about whether America will act to carry out its commitments in the Middle East – including the President’s and Congress’ pledge to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
etc. Israel definitely wants the strike. Al-Assad can nowadays be easily replaced by yet another, better puppet. It is favored apparently this be realized.
04 September 2013, 07:26
00
P3 @endless...One last thing, if you think Israel means what is says and says what it means, then it has succeeded in misleading you in the most unfortunate of ways.
04 September 2013, 07:20
00
P1 @endless, there isn't currently a better Assad, The USA learned that the hard way in Egypt and Libya, the result is the Muslim Brotherhood, though those mistakes will never be admitted publicly. The jpost and the Huffington Post are two left wing rags you ought to avoid quoting at all costs unless you are so inclined. I am a simpleton and can admit I might be dead wrong but I beg to differ with you nonetheless. If a strike occurs it will be 100% coordinated with Syria and Iran and orchestrated to save face, it will change nothing, further weaken US credibility and increase the impunity of those who believe the US is in decline.
04 September 2013, 07:23
00
P2 @endless, We are still the the most powerful and most resourceful nation on earth. 9/11 taught us we are ah so arrogant and ah so vulnerable but on the flip side it woke us from our reverie...beware of the sleeping giant and do not gamble that you somehow comprehend or even begin to imagine understanding US foreign policy (which I readily admit I don't understand and therefore don't approve off). May peace prevail and those who kill in the name of God meet an untimely demise regardless of which ideology of hate they hail from. That said, I pray for Syria, may it find a way to get rid of both the Assad regime and the foreign born terrorists it is now infested with.
04 September 2013, 07:51
00
1. Bandoul, agreed on all (but one) counts, especially regarding the strike which I too think will be coordinated. Kerry has been fervently and ceaselessly cheering for military intervention. Clandestine (and admittedly, unverifiable) sources have told that communication between the US and Iran have been alive and well regarding the coordination of the attacks.
What I don't believe is that a better replacement for Al-Assad can't be found or that it doesn't exist; it most certainly does; I cannot believe another dictator in disguise sympathetic to Israel can't be found. Jarba and the dozens of other opposition members dire to please the West so they take power are only a handful of possible candidates.
04 September 2013, 07:56
00
2. The countries surrounding Israel are harmless; the only conspicuous threat is Iran(regardless of what Israel tells its people), Jordan/Egypt/Syria are harmless, but in order to neutralize the Iranian threat Israel/the US must show Iran they're serious regarding military intervention lest Iran commit a mistake. Israel/the US will remove Al-Assad as a blow to Iran's influence. It makes most sense. While peace with Israel's last transgressor is comforting, it would rather risk this than risk Iran going unchecked and expanding its regional influence(Iran-Iraq-Syria-Lebanon).
04 September 2013, 07:57
00
3. Why I think intervention will occur is because of the extent of public pleas by many, many prominent figures in equally many ways, perspectives, and elaborations. Intervention is inevitable. If anything, the war will continue until Israel/the US finds the perfect candidate to replace Al-Assad as I believe they have been eying another Al-Assad with less sympathy to Iran for a while now, and the moment this is achieved the US will either intervene critically/supply large amounts of lethal aid/regime will change. Of course, this does not bode well for Lebanon in any case, so I'm not eager for anything really.
04 September 2013, 19:10
00
@endless, good points...I wish it were that simple. You are not factoring into your analysis the HA missile threat to Israel which is a big component of the strike on Syria coordination with IRAN. If the US can convince or bully Iran into preventing an HA missile strike or allowing launching a deliberately failed volley of missiles that will breach Israel but deliberately cause no loss of human life for show, then the strike will occur, if not, what we will have is a stand-off that will escalate sometime down the road.
