Hezbollah: The Party of God
A Lebanese Shiite movement, militia, and political party
Hezbollah is a powerful military and political force in Lebanon with deep ties to Iran and a central role in the wider Middle East conflict system.
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Origins
Hezbollah emerged in the early 1980s in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the political marginalization of Lebanon's Shiite community. It grew with Iranian support and became a hybrid actor: a militia, party, welfare network, and strategic ally of Tehran.
Militia and party at the same time
Hezbollah is more than an armed group. It holds seats in parliament, shapes government bargaining, and maintains a disciplined military structure that rivals the Lebanese state in parts of the country. This dual role gives it leverage and makes disarmament politically difficult.
Military capabilities
The group has accumulated a large missile and rocket arsenal, anti-armor systems, drones, and combat experience from the Syrian war. That makes Hezbollah Israel's most serious non-state military adversary on the northern front.
Relationship with Iran
Iran funds, trains, and arms Hezbollah through the IRGC and the Quds Force. For Tehran, Hezbollah is the most important pillar of its regional deterrence strategy; for Hezbollah, Iran is its main strategic sponsor and source of legitimacy inside the axis of resistance.
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