Report: Hizbullah Ups Number of Fighters in Syria after Iraq Turmoil
Hizbullah is mulling to increase the number of its fighters in the neighboring country Syria, the Saudi al-Watan daily reported on Sunday.
According to the newspaper, Hizbullah is seeking to cover-up for the shortage that is expected to occur due to the withdrawal of Iraqi fighters from Syria in order to participate in the fight against Sunni Arab militants who have seized a swathe of northern Iraq.
Iraqi commanders said on Saturday that soldiers had recaptured two towns north of Baghdad as thousands of volunteers answered a call to arms from top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has spearheaded a lightning offensive in Iraq this week that has seen militants sweep down from second city Mosul towards Baghdad.
A source told al-Watan daily that Hizbullah fighters were seen gearing up to enter Syria during the last two days.
Hizbullah has deployed thousands of fighters into neighboring Syria to back President Bashar Assad's army as he battles insurgents who have been trying to overthrow him for the past three years.
Hizbullah, a long-standing ally of both Iran, Syria, and Iraq says it is supporting Assad against Takfiris (Sunni extremists) who are targeting Syria's Alawite and Christian minorities.
H.K.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/135018 |