What is Hezbollah? The militarized Lebanese organization and political party

Many people today, watching from the TV screens behind the events taking place in the world, do not always understand what is at stake. For example, journalists often pronounce the name "Hezbollah." What kind of organization is this, however, they do not always mention. Therefore, the spectators are not creating the right idea about the events taking place in the East Asian region of Eurasia.

We will try to understand this issue and examine in detail the essence and history of Hezbollah's origin.

The name and main essence of the organization

Hezbollah is a Shiite paramilitary group that is territorially located in Lebanon.

Translated from the Arabic language, its name tells us that this is a kind of "party of Allah" (the basis is taken of a line from the Koran, which provides evidence that those who are in the party of Allah will defeat their enemies).

This political and religious movement sets as its main goal the victory of the Shiite direction of Islam and the creation in the territory of Lebanon of a state similar to Iran. This ideology was formulated in the writings of Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Shiite revolution in Iran in the last century.

History of the organization

Hezbollah grouping arose in 1982, now it is already 33 years old. She was assisted by the organization "Guardians of the Islamic Revolution". At that time, both anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments were very strong.

For the first time, the political organization Hezbollah took part in the 1992 elections. Then she managed to get a large number of seats in the local parliament. It first showed its strength in 2000, when it took control of southern Lebanon, taking the place of the pro-Western Lebanese army and pushing it back.

Thanks to its active work and support of the Shiite population, Hezbollah was able to take its weighty place in the political arena of the Lebanese state.

Tensions remain between Hezbollah and the State of Israel. Both of them regard each other as political opponents and openly quarrel with each other, which is manifested in skirmishes between the troops of Hezbollah and government forces of Israel.

This organization had 4 religious leaders. At the moment (since 1992) this post is occupied by Hasan Nasrallah.

Attitude to this organization in the world

In some countries of the Western world, this organization is considered a terrorist organization (we are talking about the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada). Also, the Hezbollah group is recognized as terrorist in Israel and the Persian Gulf countries, which are allies of the Anglo-Saxons.

This attitude is understandable if we consider it from the point of view of the interests of these states. The fact is that if the leaders of Hezbollah achieve their goals, this will strengthen the positions of Shiites in the Middle East region and weaken the influence of Western countries on this region. In addition, the members of this group of one of its goals proclaim the strengthening of the sovereignty of the state and the expulsion of foreign capital and foreign companies from Lebanon.

Hezbollah enjoys the support of Iran and Syria. The forces of this organization are fighting, supporting the government troops of President B. Assad.

Assessments of the organization's activities

Those who are aware of Hezbollah's activities, what kind of movement it is, is understandable. Of course, understanding this issue depends on the ideological orientation of people. Therefore, some consider this grouping a liberation movement, while others - declare it a terrorist organization.

Hence the different assessments of the activities of Hezbollah, which are present in the media of different countries.

As for Russia, in our country the Lebanese Hezbollah is not considered a terrorist organization. Unlike the countries of the Western world, the Russian Federation does not seek to interfere in the affairs of the Shiite-Sunni conflict (although in our country mostly Sunni Muslims live). The official position of the Russian Foreign Ministry is that Hezbollah is the legitimate political force of Lebanon, whose members are represented in the parliament.

The countries of the East differ in their attitude to this political force. In Egypt, for example, it is viewed not simply as an undesirable group, but as a terrorist force. Therefore, the leader of Hezbollah was declared by the Egyptian authorities to be internationally wanted.

Organizational and military structure of Hezbollah

Today, this organization has a clear and well-coordinated system of relations. It is based (as is customary among Shiites) on the supremacy of religious leaders.

Hezbollah, according to Israeli intelligence, has 10,000 soldiers, some of which are in reserve. This group has enough weapons, which can cause significant damage to Israel (up to missile strikes on this state).

There are even reports published in the press in 2012, according to which Hezbollah has weapons handed to it by the government of Syria.

Understanding the significance of the movement in the Western media

The modern Western press writes a lot about the Hezbollah movement. What does this give the readers of these countries? Most likely, information inspires fear of this movement.

So, most often it is said that the purpose of this group is the export of the Islamic revolution in the country of the West. It is emphasized that the leaders of the organization are breathing hatred for America and the satellite countries. It points to the terrorist nature of Hezbollah, the number of its militants in the countries of the East, ready to battle with the peaceful population of European countries.

In general, the Western media depicts a purely negative image of this movement.

Own media

Hezbollah members attach great importance to the work of the propaganda department. Therefore, they have a network of their own media. Among them - the satellite television channel "Mayak" (in Arabic "Almanar") and the radio station "Light" ("Alnur").

In a number of countries in the Western world, the broadcasting of this television channel and the radio station is prohibited. In addition, members of this organization are trying to attract young people through active work in social networks, videos, propaganda speeches and even through the creation of special computer games, the heroes of which are fighting the army of Israel and defeating the Israelis, gaining eternal heavenly bliss.

"Hezbollah": what is it in the modern world

The role of this organization in the modern world is twofold. On the one hand, this group is fighting between the Sunni and Shiite Muslim worlds, on the other - it was born against the background of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments in Eastern society, with a third - it is only an instrument in the political struggle of various groups in the Middle East.

Now this organization has clearly manifested itself through its participation in the civil war in Syria. Taking the position of support for B. Assad and his troops against IGIL, Hezbollah unwittingly found itself on the side of the Syrian people in its struggle for liberation from terrorists.

The movement of Hezbollah today not only gathers combat experience, but also attracts to its side all those who oppose the rule of IGIL. Despite the fact that this movement often does not suit many politicians in the modern world, it has its own stable platform and opportunities for growth.

In any case, Hezbollah is one of the forces of the Arab world, advocating for the independence of the states of the East from the developed countries of the planet, the force with which the West is partly to be reckoned with.