Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah in 1982 during Lebanon’s civil war. Western governments, including the United States, consider it a terrorist group. Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, call the organization a terrorist group. Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist group.
Confronted Israel in solidarity with Palestinians
Hezbollah is a coalition of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, after which the war in Gaza began. Declaring solidarity with the Palestinians, Hezbollah began firing on Israeli targets. Attacks are taking place almost daily between the two sides.
Hezbollah has more influence in this region
Hezbollah has supported Iranian-backed groups across the region, including Iraqi Shiite militias. Iran played a major role in helping President Bashar al-Assad fight his war in Syria, and Hezbollah fighters still remain in Syria. Saudi Arabia says Hezbollah has also fought in support of the Houthis in Yemen. Hezbollah denies this.
What is the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon?
The group is believed to protect Lebanon from Israel. It has ministers in the government and legislators in parliament. Lebanese parties opposed to Hezbollah say the group has weakened the state and unilaterally dragged Lebanon into war. Hezbollah entered Lebanese politics in 1992, contested elections and began playing a more prominent role in state affairs in 2005.
Western countries accused of attacking
According to Lebanese officials and Western intelligence agencies, groups affiliated with Hezbollah have carried out suicide attacks on Western embassies and installations. The United States blames Hezbollah for a 1983 suicide bombing that killed 241 US soldiers. Hezbollah was behind the 1983 suicide attack on the US embassy in Beirut. Hezbollah was also involved in the 1994 attack on the Jewish Community Center in Argentina and the 1992 attack on the Israeli embassy.
