Hezbollah is almost a country within another country and according to BBC Mundo, Firas Maksad, an expert in Lebanese politics and Middle East geopolitics from the Middle East Institute (MEI) based in Washington, stated that “it is currently the most powerful non-state military force in the world”.
The Shiite political and military organization originated in the 1980s during the Lebanese civil war and was founded with the initial purpose of resisting Israeli occupation in the southern part of the country and expanding the influence of the Iranian Islamic revolution.
Today Hezbollah has evolved to become a key player not only militarily, but also politically in the country. In the last general elections in Lebanon, its representatives in parliament obtained almost 20% of the votes and have the ability to block key decisions in the country, giving them a great influence on internal politics.
Who is the leader of Hezbollah?
Since 1992, the leader of the organization has been Hassan Nasrallah, a 64-year-old Shiite cleric, key in its transformation into a political and military force. According to BBC Mundo, Nasrallah maintains close ties with Iran and, although he has not appeared in public for years, he delivers televised speeches every week.
Their armed struggle against Israel has been a crucial factor in the consolidation of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The clashes during the Israeli occupation of the southern part of the country (1982-2000) and the conflict of 2006 have cemented the organization's reputation as a powerful resistance force.
Hezbollah receives significant financial and logistical support from Iran, its main ally, which considers it a key element in its regional strategy. Additionally, Syria has provided strategic support, which has been essential for its survival and expansion.
The organization has a great influence in southern Lebanon and in the suburbs of Beirut due to the social, educational, and even health services it provides, and in this it even rivals state institutions, consolidating its image as “a state within the state.” Even its military power surpasses that of the Lebanese army.