Hezbollah's Arms, Men Supply In Shambles Following Assad's Ouster In Syria: 'Actively Considering Options'

Syria War: The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has significantly weakened Hezbollah’s strategic position in the region. The Lebanese armed group has lost its primary supply route for fighters and weapons through Syria. In a televised address, Hezbollah Deputy Leader Naim Qassem acknowledged the impact of Assad's ouster but said that the group is looking for alternative means to procure weapons.

Hezbollah Seeks New Supply Routes

Qassem stated that while the current supply route through Syria is disrupted, it could be restored under a new regime or substituted with alternate pathways. “A new government may normalise this route, and we are actively considering other options,” he said. Hezbollah had previously intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2013 to support Assad's regime against rebels, sending thousands of fighters to aid the effort.

A Decade of Dependence on Syria

For decades, Hezbollah relied on Syria as a vital corridor for arms shipments from its primary ally, Iran. This dependency has become increasingly precarious, especially after recent Israeli airstrikes targeted border crossings between Lebanon and Syria in November.

Warning Against Normalising Ties with Israel

In his speech, Qassem also issued a caution to Syria's potential new rulers, urging them not to recognize or establish ties with Israel. “We hope the new regime will continue to view Israel as an enemy and will not normalize relations,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria, calling them unjustified. He warned of escalating tensions in the region, particularly after attacks attributed to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) threatened stability on Syrian soil.