by Ram ben Ze'ev
Hezbollah's rise to power and control over Lebanon has been a gradual process that involved a combination of military, political, and social strategies. Here's an overview of how Hezbollah managed to gain significant control over Lebanon:
Hezbollah (Party of god) was founded in the early 1980s in response to the Israeli advance into Lebanon in 1982. It was initially supported by Iran's Revolutionary Guard and served as a Shia resistance movement against Israeli occupation. Drawing on the ideological influence of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Hezbollah's early focus was on military resistance, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it gained popularity for its effective guerrilla warfare against Israeli forces.
Hezbollah's military campaign against Israeli forces, resulted in Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, significantly bolstered its popularity and legitimacy, especially within Lebanon’s Shia community. Hezbollah was seen as the only group capable of expelling Israel, unlike the Lebanese Army or other political factions, which gave it credibility as a national defender.
Following the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990 and under the 1989 Taif Agreement, Hezbollah avoided disarmament, unlike other militias. It maintained its military wing under the justification of opposing Israel. During the 1990s, Hezbollah began participating in Lebanese politics. It contested parliamentary elections, joining the government, which allowed it to legitimize its presence and influence on both political and military fronts. Hezbollah's political arm became an important player in Lebanese politics, forming alliances with other factions, notably the Free Patriotic Movement.
In 2006, a major conflict erupted between Hezbollah and Israel following Hezbollah's capture of Israeli soldiers. Despite the heavy destruction of Lebanese infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah claimed victory by surviving the Israeli onslaught, and its popularity soared even further among Lebanese and the broader Arab world. The war allowed Hezbollah to further cement its image as the primary force against Israel.
Over the years, Hezbollah has effectively extended its influence into various Lebanese state institutions, especially through political alliances and its role in the Lebanese government. It has maintained a significant presence in Lebanon’s cabinet and parliament, securing enough influence to block key government decisions when necessary. It also has a network of social services, including hospitals, schools, and charities, which has made it a vital source of support for Lebanon’s Shia population, increasing its local power base.
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Hezbollah’s military wing, often seen as stronger and more capable than the Lebanese Army, continues to operate independently, with significant backing from Iran. While the Lebanese government maintains an official military force, Hezbollah's militia is widely recognized as the most powerful armed entity in Lebanon. The Lebanese state, with its fragile institutions, has found it difficult to challenge Hezbollah’s military autonomy.
This dual military and political role has allowed Hezbollah to act with relative impunity in security matters. It retains control over significant portions of southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut, including Hezbollah strongholds.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War (on the side of the Assad regime) further bolstered its regional importance. By playing a crucial role in propping up Bashar al-Assad’s government, Hezbollah has enhanced its influence within the “Axis of Resistance” (Iran, Syria, Hezbollah). Its fighters gained battlefield experience, and it strengthened its ties with Iran and Syria, deepening its military and financial backing.
Lebanon's political and economic crisis in 2019-2020 further exposed Hezbollah's power. Despite mass protests calling for the removal of Lebanon's political elite and the end of corruption, Hezbollah played a crucial role in maintaining the status quo. It opposed calls for its disarmament and resisted reforms that would threaten its political or military position. The economic crisis, while devastating for Lebanon, has not significantly eroded Hezbollah’s core support among its Shia base, which relies heavily on its social services.
Hezbollah has effectively exploited Lebanon's complex sectarian political system, which divides power among different religious groups. The party has used its strong support among the Shia population (Lebanon’s largest sect) to leverage influence in the multi-sectarian political framework. By maintaining strong alliances, particularly with Shia and Christian factions, Hezbollah has managed to avoid isolation within Lebanon's political system, which requires consensus between the sects to function.
Hezbollah's close ties to Iran and Syria have also reinforced its position in Lebanon. Iran provides Hezbollah with funding, military training, and weapons, while Syria, under Assad, has historically been an ally of the group. This external backing has allowed Hezbollah to function almost as a "state within a state" in Lebanon, maintaining a degree of independence from the central government and even surpassing it in terms of military capability.
Hezbollah's control over Lebanon is a product of its military strength, political positioning, external alliances (particularly with Iran), and grassroots support, particularly within the Shia community. While it operates within Lebanon's political system, its autonomous military wing and external backing make it a powerful force beyond the reach of the Lebanese state. This combination of military authority, political integration, and strategic alliances has enabled Hezbollah to dominate Lebanon’s political, security, and social spheres.
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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue