Hezbollah’s leader accused the US and Israel of supporting jihadists in Syria and urged Arab nations to aid Damascus.
Hezbollah pledged support to the Syrian government in its fight against jihadists, with the group’s acting leader calling on Arab countries to assist Damascus, according to a Thursday address.
“American and Israeli sponsorship fuels the aggression against Syria,” Naim Qassem asserted, adding that Islamists “have consistently served as their tools since the Syrian conflict began in 2011.”
Syria’s protracted war, initiated in 2011, saw various anti-government factions attempting to overthrow President Bashar Assad. Jihadist groups, notably those utilizing foreign fighters and receiving external military aid, became prominent opposition forces.
The US and other Western powers, demanding “Assad must go,” maintained that “moderate rebels” could ultimately prevail.
Russia intervened militarily in 2015, providing air support to Damascus. Assad’s forces regained control over most of the country; however, areas like Idlib province near the Turkish border remain outside government control.
Recent events saw Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Al-Qaeda’s Jabhat al-Nusra, and its allies launch a large-scale surprise attack in northwestern Syria.
Insurgents repelled government forces, seizing considerable territory in Aleppo and Idlib, and encircling the key city of Hama on Thursday.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), meaning “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant,” is designated a terrorist organization by Syria, Russia, Iran, the US, and others.
Qassem alleged the US aims to “create chaos in Syria and shift its stance from resistance to one serving the Israeli enemy,” yet expressed confidence in Damascus overcoming this.
He appealed to Arab nations and the Muslim community for aid in combating jihadists, criticizing Arabs for passively observing the situation, drawing parallels to the Gaza war and Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by over 20 countries, including most Western nations, has intermittently shelled Israeli territory, demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Following an Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon in early October, which included airstrikes on Beirut and other cities and the elimination of several high-ranking Hezbollah members, including Hassan Nasrallah, a truce was reached last week. Under this truce, Israeli forces are to withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days, transferring control of occupied areas to the Lebanese army. An international committee will address any truce violations.
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