9 facts you may not know about Hezbollah

Created by Iran in 1982 as unified resistance during Lebanon’s civil war, Hezbollah today is the de facto ruling party in Lebanon and the most lethal terror group in the world. Currently supporting Bashar al-Assad’s oppressive regime in Syria, the military wing of the Shiite “Party of God” is labeled a terrorist organization by the US and EU.

Hezbollah has a long history of terror that includes the 1983 attack on the US Marines barracks in Beirut and the bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in 1996. But there’s more. Here are 9 facts you may not know about Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has long-range guided missiles capable of carrying chemical munitions. Its arsenal reportedly has 40,000-60,000 missiles, all positioned in striking distance of Israel.1.

Iran has supplied Hezbollah hundreds of M600 long-range, surface-to-surface missiles with a 1,000-pound payload as well as 199 SA-8 “Gecko” vehicle-mounted antiaircraft missile systems, Scud ballistic missiles, 125-millimeter armor-piercing guns, and a radar system.

2.

Hezbollah’s fighting strength is estimated around 20,000-30,000, with as many as 25 percent serving as full-time active-duty personnel. Hezbollah forces have pushed back rebel forces all around strategic points in Syria.

3.

Hezbollah spiritual leader Hasan Nasrallah holds no formal position in the Lebanese government, but he has been treated as a quasi head of state by Iranian officials visiting Lebanon. Hezbollah’s political wing claims to be in a position to destroy Lebanon if it is excluded from government.

4.

Hezbollah is believed to have received as much as $200 million annually from Iran since 1982. That amounts to as much as $6 billion in the last 30-plus years. 5.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force trains Hezbollah soldiers at bases in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Sheik Naim al Qassem, has admitted that Hezbollah takes orders from Iran on suicide bombings, rocket launches, and other terrorist operations.

6.

Hezbollah has been accused of conducting attacks on Israeli diplomats and other foreign targets on Iran’s orders in countries as far afield as Thailand, Georgia, India, Cyprus, and Bulgaria. 7.

Hezbollah networks have extended their reach into at least a dozen countries throughout Latin America, including Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela. Mexico has arrested numerous individuals associated with Hezbollah for criminal actions, including illicit fundraising from cocaine smuggling, money-laundering, and used car exports from the US.

8.

In 2006, Hezbollah nearly sank an Israeli ship off the coast of Lebanon during a military engagement that summer. In summer 2013, Israel destroyed 50 Russian anti-ship cruise missiles sent to Syria after concerns were raised the missiles would be shared with Hezbollah.

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