Hezbollah’s Role in Lebanon’s Collapse

An exploration of how the militant group’s actions contributed to political instability, economic crisis, and social unrest in Lebanon. 

Lebanon, once known as the “The switzerland of the Middle East,” is now on the brink of collapse. The country is facing a severe economic crisis, political instability, and social unrest. Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group, is one of the main actors that have contributed to Lebanon’s collapse. 

Hezbollah’s rise, terrorist operations, alliances with corrupt political parties, involvement in regional conflicts, drug dealing, the assassination of Rafik Hariri which fueled sectarian tensions and political divisions are all one the main factors that have undermined the Lebanese state and contributed to the ongoing political and economic crisis in the country. 

The Lebanese civil war 

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) played a significant role in the Lebanese Civil War. The PLO had established its headquarters in Beirut and had amassed a large military force in Lebanon. This military presence, combined with the PLO’s radical ideology, angered many Lebanese Christians and Sunni Muslims who saw the PLO as a threat to Lebanon’s fragile sectarian balance.

Over time, Hezbollah became one of the most powerful and well-organized political and military groups in Lebanon

In addition, the PLO’s actions often provoked Israeli military responses, which further destabilized Lebanon. For example, in 1978, the PLO carried out a bus hijacking in Israel, which led to an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. This invasion displaced tens of thousands of people and contributed to the growth of armed resistance movements in Lebanon.

The PLO’s involvement in the Lebanese Civil War escalated in 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon.

following an attempted assassination by the PLO of the Israeli ambassador to England Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982  in what’s known as Operation Peace in the Galilee in an effort to  eliminate the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon, where they had been based since being expelled from Jordan and have been using Lebanon to launch attacks against Israel aiming to expel them from Lebanon and to install a pro-Israel Maronite Christian government. 

During the invasion, a group of Lebanese Shia clerics, including Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, organized a resistance movement against the Israeli occupation.

Iran under that rule of Ayotallah Komeini at that time , which had a strong interest in promoting its Shia ideology and fighting Israel, saw an opportunity to gain influence in Lebanon sent advisors from the  Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to Lebanon to help train and equip the Shia resistance fighters, who began to coalesce into a more organized group. This group eventually became known as Hezbollah, which means “Party of God” in Arabic.

Hezbollah’s early activities included attacks on Israeli forces and their Lebanese allies, as well as kidnappings and bombings. Its members also provided social services to their fellow Shia Muslims in Lebanon, such as schools and hospitals, which helped to build support for the group. 

Over time, Hezbollah became one of the most powerful and well-organized political and military groups in Lebanon. It is now a major political party in the Lebanese parliament, with its own armed wing that is more powerful than the Lebanese military in some areas of the country.

Terrorist operation that led to the collapse 

Hezbollah has been accused of carrying out terrorist operations in Lebanon and abroad. In 1983, Hezbollah attacked the US embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans. In 1985, Hezbollah hijacked TWA Flight 847 and held the passengers hostage for 17 days. In 1992, Hezbollah carried out a suicide bombing against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 29 people. In 1994, Hezbollah bombed a Jewish center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people. The group has also been accused of carrying out several terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. but how did that contributed intopolitical and economic collapse in Lebanon? 

The group’s involvement in attacks against foreign targets has led to economic sanctions, political isolation, and a loss of foreign aid and investment.

Well, firstly the group’s attacks on Israeli targets, particularly the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli civilians, have led to significant military responses by Israel, which have caused widespread destruction and displacement of Lebanese civilians. This has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the disruption of daily life.

Secondly, Hezbollah’s terrorist activities have contributed to the breakdown of the rule of law and the erosion of the Lebanese state’s authority. The group operates outside of the government’s control and is believed to have significant influence over many aspects of Lebanese society, including the economy and the media.

Thirdly, Hezbollah’s terrorist activities abroad have had a significant impact on Lebanon’s economy, stability, and international reputation. The group’s involvement in attacks against foreign targets has led to economic sanctions, political isolation, and a loss of foreign aid and investment. This has contributed to the collapse of Lebanon’s economy and infrastructure, leaving the country in a state of crisis.

The assassination of Rafik Hariri 

The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 was a pivotal moment in Lebanon’s recent history. The attack, which took place in Beirut on February 14, 2005, killed Hariri and 21 others, and injured over 200 people. The assassination was widely believed to have been orchestrated by Hezbollah, which has been implicated in the attack by an international tribunal investigating the case.

The fallout from the Hariri assassination further divided Lebanon, with Hezbollah’s continued refusal to cooperate with the tribunal and its refusal to disarm contributing to the ongoing political crisis in the country

Hezbollah’s involvement in the assassination of Hariri was a significant turning point for the group, which had previously enjoyed significant support from the Lebanese people. Many Lebanese, particularly in the Sunni community, were outraged by the attack and demanded justice for Hariri’s death. This led to widespread protests and political turmoil in Lebanon, with some accusing Hezbollah of acting as a state within a state and undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty.

The United Nations set up an international tribunal to investigate the assassination, and in 2011, the tribunal issued arrest warrants for four members of Hezbollah, including Mustafa Badreddine, a senior Hezbollah commander. Badreddine was later killed in Syria in 2016, and the other three suspects have not been apprehended.

Hezbollah denied any involvement in the attack and accused Israel of being behind the assassination. However, the tribunal’s investigation revealed evidence linking the attack to Hezbollah, including the use of a van loaded with explosives that was traced back to a Hezbollah-controlled area in southern Beirut.

The fallout from the Hariri assassination further divided Lebanon, with Hezbollah’s continued refusal to cooperate with the tribunal and its refusal to disarm contributing to the ongoing political crisis in the country. Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanese politics has grown in the years since the assassination, and the group remains a powerful force in the country, with some accusing it of holding the government hostage and obstructing necessary reforms. The ongoing political and economic crises in Lebanon are widely seen as a result of Hezbollah’s continued influence and its refusal to allow the Lebanese government to take necessary steps to address the country’s problems.

Corrupted allies protected by hezbollah

It is important to note that corruption in Lebanon is a complex issue that involves many actors and factors, and it is not solely the responsibility of Hezbollah and its allies. However, there have been allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement against some of Hezbollah’s political allies in Lebanon, which have contributed to the economic crisis in the country.

for example Nabih Berri the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and the leader of the Amal Movement, a political party and militia that for a time had a long history of conflict with Hezbollah before they became allies. Berri has been accused of using his position to enrich himself and his allies, as well as obstructing efforts to reform the Lebanese political system.

another example is Riyad Salameh  the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon who has been in this position since 1993. Under his leadership, the Central Bank pursued a policy of high interest rates and attracting foreign deposits to support the country’s economy. However, this policy relied heavily on borrowing and was unsustainable in the long run. As a result, Lebanon became heavily indebted, with its debt-to-GDP ratio reaching 170%. Salameh has been accused of facilitating the transfer of billions of dollars out of Lebanon, which has contributed to the country’s financial crisis. He has also been accused of corruption and mismanagement, with allegations that he favored politically connected individuals and businesses in his financial dealings. Despite these accusations, Hezbollah’s ally Nabih Berri, who is the Speaker of the Parliament and a key political figure in Lebanon, has been protecting Salameh. Berri has refused to remove Salameh from his position. he Central Bank’s policies and Salameh’s alleged corruption have led to the depletion of the country’s foreign reserves, causing the Lebanese pound to lose over 90% of its value against the US dollar. This has resulted in hyperinflation, shortages of essential goods, and a severe economic crisis.

The Syrian civil war and its impact on Lebanon

Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has had a significant impact on the Lebanese economy and contributed to its collapse in recent years.

Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has had a significant impact on the Lebanese economy and contributed to its collapse in recent years.

Hezbollah’s decision to enter the Syrian conflict on the side of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime led to increased sectarian tensions within Lebanon, as the group’s support for the Alawite-led government in Syria further alienated Sunni Muslims in Lebanon. This contributed to a political stalemate in Lebanon, as the country’s political parties became more divided along sectarian lines.

The conflict in Syria has also had a direct impact on the Lebanese economy, as it disrupted trade routes and tourism. The closure of the border between Lebanon and Syria, a key trade route, has led to a decrease in exports and increased the cost of imports, as goods must be transported by sea and land instead of overland through Syria. The Syrian conflict has also caused a decline in tourism, a key industry in Lebanon, as many tourists are deterred by the violence and instability in the region.

Furthermore, Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has also led to increased economic pressure on the group itself. The cost of maintaining a military presence in Syria has been high, and the group has struggled to finance its operations as a result. This has led Hezbollah to increase its involvement in illicit activities, such as drug trafficking and money laundering, to raise funds for its military activities.

Overall, Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has had a significant impact on the Lebanese economy and contributed to its collapse in recent years. The increased sectarian tensions and political divisions within Lebanon, combined with the disruption of trade routes and decline in tourism, have made it difficult for the country to recover from its economic woes.

Beirut port explosion in August 2020 

The devastating explosion that rocked Beirut’s port in August 2020 further exposed the incompetence and corruption of Lebanon’s government, including Hezbollah’s role in it. The explosion was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsafely in a warehouse for years. The ammonium nitrate had been seized from a ship owned by a Russian businessman and stored at the port under the watch of the Lebanese government. The explosion killed more than 200 people, injured thousands, and destroyed large parts of the city.

Hezbollah’s involvement in the port was revealed in the aftermath of the explosion. The group had stored weapons and ammunition in the port, violating international law and putting the lives of Lebanese citizens at risk. Hezbollah also used the port to smuggle goods and evade sanctions imposed by the international community. The explosion further exposed Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon’s state institutions and its disregard for the safety and well-being of the Lebanese people.

It is clear that Hezbollah’s actions have played a crucial role in the country’s ongoing crisis

In conclusion, the rise of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group, has had a significant impact on Lebanon’s political and economic crisis. Hezbollah’s involvement in regional conflicts, terrorist operations, alliances with corrupt political parties, drug dealing, and assassination of Rafik Hariri have all contributed to the ongoing crisis in the country. The group’s actions have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the disruption of daily life. Moreover, Hezbollah’s influence over many aspects of Lebanese society, including the economy and the media, has eroded the rule of law and the Lebanese state’s authority. The assassination of Rafik Hariri was a significant turning point for the group, which has been implicated in the attack by an international tribunal investigating the case. As Lebanon continues to struggle with economic collapse, political instability, and social unrest, it is clear that Hezbollah’s actions have played a crucial role in the country’s ongoing crisis. To achieve stability, a comprehensive solution must be found to address the underlying political, social, and economic issues facing Lebanon, and to curb the influence of armed groups like Hezbollah on the country’s future.