Hezbollah’s Support to Syria Amid Rebel Offensive

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad amidst a new offensive led by Islamist rebels.

About Hezbollah:

Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon.
It emerged in the 1980s as a response to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.
It is designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries, including US and Israel.
The group is currently involved in Lebanese politics, holding seats in the Parliament and participating in the government.
It is a part of the axis of resistance grouping.
Since 2013, Hezbollah has openly supported the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war.
The group has played a critical role in recapturing territories lost during the initial stages of the war, which began in 2011.
Naim Qassem accused the United States and Israel of backing “takfiri” factions—a term Hezbollah uses to describe jihadists or radical Sunni Islamist groups.
Hezbollah views these groups as instruments of Western and Israeli interference in the region.