ppt briefing on Hezbollah

1. Crisis in the Middle East - Hezbollah
COL JANOS TOMOLYA PhD

3. Hezbollah
The Party of Allah

4. What is Hezbollah?
• Militant Shia terrorist network based in
Southern Lebanon and funded by Iran
• Cited aim is to destroy Israel while turning
Lebanon into a Muslim state
• Call themselves the “Party of God,” and
provide social services to the local population
to garner support
• Active political organization in Lebanon

6. Creation of Hezbollah
• Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 to drive out the PLO
which had been continually waging attacks on Israel
• Hezbollah is created with the assistance of Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards Corps to expel Israel from
Lebanon
• Its leaders were first initially inspired by Ayatollah
Khomeini
• Hezbollah’s initial goals were to: “Put an end to any
colonialist entity in Lebanon, bring the Phalangists to
justice for the crimes they had perpetrated, and
establish an Islamic regime in Lebanon.”

7. Area of Hezbollah Control
Hezbollah Flag

10. Missile Arsenal
• Hezbollah has at least 80,000 missiles hidden throughout
Southern Lebanon
Katyusha 20-45 km
Shahin 2 29 km
Fajr-3 45 km
Fajr-5 75 km
Arash 20 km
Oghab 45 km
Zelzal-2 100-400 km
IGLA 9K338 SAM 5-7 km
altitude
C-802 Tondar 400 km anti-
ship

11. Funding and Influence
• Western analysts estimate Hezbollah’s budget to be $200-
$500 billion annually
• Hezbollah is funded by Iran, Syria, charitable
organizations, individual donations, businesses, illegal
arms trading, cigarette smuggling, counterfeiting, credit
card fraud, theft, illegal telephone exchanges, and drug
trafficking
• Hezbollah has active cells in many Western countries all
over the world, and in Israel, raising money and plotting
new attacks on Americans, Jews, and Westerners

12. • Excellent military
capabilities
• High level Training
• Fanatics
• Enjoying fantastic
financial, moral
support from Iran;
• Ready to use WMD
One of the most
dangerous terrorist
organizations

14. Hezbollah
Organization Profile

15. Organization Profile
•Founded in 1982, after the PLO and Fatah were driven out of South Lebanon,
Hezbollah is a radical Shiite organization which represents a major political and military
force in the region, particularly evident when compared to other weak regional
players. The organization functions as a front-line Iranian proxy, relying on both Iranian
and Syrian support. Hezbollah strength stems from a number of sources:
Military Political
Socio-
Economic
Professional and
well-trained army
Guerilla warfare
techniques and
civilian shield
Strategic force
(UAV’s, missiles, etc)
Terror component
Modus Vivendi with the
government
Increased influence
following governmental
recognition
“Blocking third” veto right
Operates primarily in
Shiite regions
Ideological indoctrination
Largely backed by Iran

16. Hezbollah Establishment
•Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by Lebanese Shi’ite Muslims, assisted
by 1,500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The party’s platform is based on
the teachings of Ayatollah Khmonenu and inspired by the Iranian
Revolution. It calls for the “liberation” of Jerusalem and the complete
elimination of Israel, as well as the establishment of Islamic rule in
Lebanon.
Hezbollah has played an active role in
Lebanese politics since 1992, guided by the
Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, and the
group’s governing, the Majlis al-Shura.
The organization still functions as an Iranian proxy, receiving
millions of dollars in aid, massive shipments of weapons and
training. Syria plays an active role in conveying the support and in
supporting the organization.

17. Hezbollah
The Second Lebanon
War
Israel won but not with K.O.

18. Including coastal
missiles
15,000 (10,000
south of the Litani
River)
Military Capabilities
•Despite its position as a non-state actor instructed to disband in
multiple UN resolutions, Hezbollah possessed an arsenal comparable to
that of a full-fledged army prior to the Second Lebanon War, including:
Long-Range Rockets
(+250km)
Short-Range Rockets UAV and Naval Unit Guerilla Ground Force
(ATGMs and MANPADs)
Over 1000 Approx. 8,000
Beyond Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal, the organization also
relied upon a strict military hierarchy, as well as pre-determined
military operational concepts. This included 14,000 activists, of
which 5,000 remained south of the Litani River.

19. Infrastructure
•Hezbollah constructed a massive web of tunnels and underground storage depots
throughout southern Lebanon. In addition, C2 headquarters, firing positions and
storage centers were concealed deep within civilian populations.
Room
Entrance
Weapons Room
Room
Entrance

20. International Law
•Beyond concealing itself within the
civilian population, Hezbollah
systematically targeted Israeli civilians
throughout northern Israel. During
the course of the war, over 4,000
rockets were launched, killing 41
civilians and wounding over 600. MAJOR CITIES TARGETED BY HEZBOLLAH
Hezbollah also operated in close
proximity to UN outposts,
deliberately endangering the
international force in effort to reduce
Israeli capacity to retaliate.
ROCKET LAUNCHING FROM URBAN AREA

21. Unclassified || Slide 21
Rockets in the Second Lebanon War

22. MLRS of HEZBOLLAH

23. Unclassified || Slide 23
UNSCR 1701
Arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including “the establishment
between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed
personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of
Lebanon and of UNIFIL”.
Implementation of relevant provisions (UNSCR 1559 and 1680) requiring the
disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon (other than LAF).
No foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its Government.
No sales or supply of arms to Lebanon, except as authorized by the government.
An attempt to change reality in Southern Lebanon

24. Hezbollah
Hezbollah Today
Fight in Syria
Recruitment

25. PoliticalSocial Hezbollah Today
•Following the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah immediately began to
take measures in order to contend with the challenges it had faced.
This takes place in a number of arenas:
Military
Training
Drills
Smuggling
Infrastructure
Personnel
Arsenal
Indoctrination
Socio-economic
activities
Blocking Third
Legitimacy in
government
Unspoken cooperation
with the LAF

26. We shall not surrender, we shall not come to
terms with Israel…and we will continue to
believe and proclaim that Israel…must be
erased from existence
Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah Secretary-General 18/09/2009

27. Hezbollah Today
Smuggling
Arsenal Infrastructure
UN Infractions

28. Unclassified || Slide 28
Arsenal
About two thirds of Hezbollah’s long-range capabilities were destroyed by the
IDF in the Second Lebanon War, many within the first few hours of the operation.
However, since the conclusion of the war, the organization has invested
significant efforts in rebuilding its capabilities, in terms of quantity and quality,
through massive arms transferring relying on Iran and Syrian.
2006 2010
Rockets
Rockets in South
Lebanon
15,000
10,000
40,000
30,000

29. Weapons
•Hezbollah modus operandi uses advanced
conventional weapons with guerilla
terrorist techniques. To this effect, it has
amassed anti-tank missiles, IEDs, UAVs as
well as thousands of rockets and missiles.
1. 107 mm cannon – 8.3km
2. Falak 1,2 – 10, 10.8km
3. 122 mm cannon – 11km
4. Improved 122 – 20.4km
5. Arash (Malak) – 29km
6. Fager 3 – 43km
7. Syrian Rocket – 50km
8. 220 mm cannon – 70km
9. Fager 5 – 75km
10. 302 mm cannon – 100km
11. 302 mm cannon – 150km
12. M600 – 300km
13. SCUD D – 700km
Jerusalem
Tel-Aviv
Haifa
Tibereas
Netanya
Hadera
Nahariya
Afula
Kiryat
Shemona
Ashkelon
Ashdod
Beit Shean

30. Advanced Weapons
•In addition, Hezbollah possess dozens of UAVs, as used in the Second
Lebanon War, coastal missiles, anti-aircraft guns and more. This is
backed by the Scud and M600 rockets, which allow Hezbollah to
target the Israeli front from far within the Lebanese strategic depth.
THE IRANIAN-MADE ABABIL UAV
THE ZILZAL
SYRIAN 220M ROCKET LAUNCHER
C802 COASTAL MISSILE
SAGGER ATGM MISSILES

31. Infrastructure
•CMZ
Rural
Villages(Closed Military Zones)
2006
2010
HEZBOLLAH STRONGHOLDS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON

32. Hezbollah Deployment Overview
Hezbollah routinely deploys within the rural environment in Southern
Lebanon. This serves as the backbone of war-time operations.
Northern
Unit
Western
Unit
Central
Unit
5,000 Activists
≈30,000 SSRs
Southern Lebanon Deployment
Command
Unit
Sector
Village
Each village area
includes dozens
of activists and
200 SSRs
Concept of
Operation
Integrated, all-arms battle
Continued indiscriminate fire on Israeli national, civilian and
military targets
Ground combat against IDF troops in Southern Lebanon

33. The Village as a Military Unit
3 km
2km
Open fortified
area
Fortified
vegetatio
n
outskirts
Close-combat fortified position which includes three battle zones
(village, outskirts and open areas). Includes AT weapons, IEDs and
light arms
Village commander subordinate to sector commander, and
commanding officers and squad commanders
CONOPS
C2
The village, village outskirts and dense surrounding vegetation
AOR
Infantry Platoon/
Company, armed with
ATs, IEDs and light
arms
ORBAT

34. El-Khiam – Information
Population: 22,930
Distance from Blue Line: 4 km
Range of rockets: 20km
Shi’ite village surrounded by
Sunni, Druze and Christian
villages.
Extensive Hezbollah activity prior to and during Second Lebanon War
Active Hezbollah arena between 2000 and
2006, with IEDs, a UAV launch, abductions and
more. LAF presence (20 tanks, 7 cannons, 50
APCs) failed to respond to events (crossing
of Blue Line – 7/09, AT team in mosque – 4/10).
El-Khiam
Metula Neve
Atib
Kirya’at
Shemona

35. Position Deployment
Command and Control Position
Located less than half a kilometer from
the village hospital.
Generally located near civilian sites
(mosques, medical sites, schools) and on
high ground.
Combat Observation Post
Within 250 meters of a UN post
Overlooks village access routes, in C2 line of
sight and reports via tactical radio. Can
contain thermal cameras and more.

36. Weapons in El-Khiam Village
Activists Approximately 90, including special forces
Artillery ≈600 8km range mortar shells
Rockets ≈200 40km SSRs
Engineers Explosive pits, IEDs, Claymore & shrapnel
Anti-Tank AT-14, AT-5, AT-4 and TOW missiles
Intelligence 5 OPs + emergency monitoring center
FAGOT AT
RPG29 (AT)
IEDs Hidden in Crates
Weapon Storage
Facilities
22 locations within
residential areas
and in the vicinity
of the mosque, the
school and medical
institutes.

37. Hezbollah
Smuggling

38. Smuggling Model
Functioning as a front-line proxy of Iran in the region, Hezbollah relies upon the
massive weapon transfers as a lifeline for its operations. The smuggling takes
place by air, land and sea, relying on pivotal Syrian support as well.
Syria
Hezbollah
Storage
Iran IRGC
Syria
Swap
Zones
Lebanon
Depot
Beka’a
Valley
Beirut
South of
the Litani

39. Unclassified || Slide 39
Weapons within Lebanon
Beqa’a Valley
Beirut
Sayda
Tyre
Nabatiy
a Kiham
Damascus
Lebanon
Syria
1
2
3
4
Weapons smuggled into Lebanon (1) are
stored at temporary storages locations until
they can be transferred further on (2). After
being stored in arms depots in Beirut (3), they
are transferred throughout the country, to
arms depots both north and south of the Litani
river (4).
Transfer Routes
South Lebanon
Despite the explicit prohibition for non-
governmental weapons in South Lebanon
(UNSCR 1701), many weapons are then sent
on to Southern Lebanon.

40. Weapon Transfers - Examples
•One example of the massive weapon
transfers which took place from Iran is the
Francop, a cargo ship which, following
intelligence reports, was bordered by Israeli
troops. On board were 36 containers
containing 300 tons of illegal weapons. This
directly contradicted UNSCR 1747, which
prohibits arms shipments out of Iran:
"Iran shall not supply, sell or transfer…any arms or related material…all States shall prohibit the
procurement of such items from Iran by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft“
(UNSCR 1747, Paragraph 5)
Numerous other examples of weapon transfers have been discovered, including a
train of Iranian arms discovered in Turkey (5/07) and an aerial train through Syria to
Hezbollah, in the guise of humanitarian assistance (12/03-1/04)

41. Iranian Intervention
IRANIAN WEAPON FOUND IN LEBANON
Training
In 2006, members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards were in Lebanon in
order to help train Hezbollah operatives, training as many as 1,200. This was
preceded by the training of nearly 12,000 operatives in camps in Iran, Sudan
and Lebanon.
•Iranian meddling in the region well exceeds only weapon transfers. Iran
continue to plays an active role in training and bankrolling Hezbollah
organization, as well as providing assistance for its political activity,
which has already seen dividends.

42. Iranian Meddling
•Iranian efforts are complemented by massive economic support to
Hezbollah. The Iranian Quds organization alone contributes between
100-200 million dollars annually to Hezbollah, much which funds
weapons.
’07-’08
Following the Second Lebanon War, Iran invested approximately 400 million
dollars in rehabilitating Hezbollah’s strength.
09/’06
The US Treasury determined that the central Iran bank had sent millions of
dollars in air to Hezbollah and the Hamas.
2004
Iran and Hezbollah cooperated in a join effort to counterfeit US currency in
order to bankroll Hezbollah activates and disrupt US commerce.

43. Iranian InterventionEMDAD
The EMDAD fund, created by Imam Khomeini in 1979, relies on
governmental funds as well as donations. The fund offers widows and
children guidance, medical assistance and schooling. There are five active
schools run by the fund in Lebanon which propagate hatred and Hezbollah
indoctrination.
2009
Iran transferred about 600 million dollars to Hezbollah prior to the July, 2009
elections. This money was transferred via the Syrian embassy in Lebanon.
2006
After the Second Lebanon War, an Iranian organization was created to aid
Lebanese rehabilitation. By 2008, 4,000 projects had been completed,
including education institutes exploited to forward Hezbollah’s radical
doctrine.
Social/Political Intervention

44. Conclusion
Since the conclusion of the Second Lebanon War and
despite UNSCR 1701, Hezbollah has continued to
expand its military capabilities, increased the scope of
its infrastructure and has gained political recognition as
a inherent member of the government.
Hezbollah’s abilities now surpass its pre-war levels.
International acceptance of this trend has left it
confident in its power and the right to use it, despite its
status as an illegal non-state terrorist entity.

45. Questions?