New Experience of Lebanese Hezbollah with Russian Military

AhlulBayt News Agency - Hezbollah which has had a great role in combat against terrorism in Syria is effectively cooperating with the Russian military, a point that analysts consider a new experience for the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Movement.

Media sources have reported that the Russian Special Forces have been collaborating with Hezbollah fighters to help the Syrian government forces to seize back the towns and mountainous villages in Latakia governorate. Eliaj Moghnair, the Secretary of International Department of Kuwaiti Al-Rai newspaper who is said to have a good relationship with some military resources in the Axis of Resistance, recently reported that the Special Forces of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Movement backed by Russian air force, have played a crucial role in some battles in Latakia governorate.  

The Syrian government forces and their allies have made key advances over the past three weeks in the northern governorate of Latakia, and have nearly succeeded to fully provide the security of this governorate. According to Moghnair, the Russian airstrikes have provided the perfect conditions for the Special Forces of Hezbollah and the Syrian army as they have made significant advances in different parts of Latakia without too much resistance from the terrorists.   

This is not the first time that reports of Hezbollah’s cooperation with Russia in the military sphere are released. In early days of direct entry of Russia to Syria, reports suggested that Russian have deployed a number of their units in Hezbollah controlled areas so that both can learn more about the capabilities of each other. According to the report, the spheres of influence, and the duties are divided between the Russian, Syrian, Hezbollah and the Iranian. Russia is in charge of the security of Latakia, Hama and Aleppo. Iran would be in charge of the security of Damascus, Daraa, al-Qunaytirah and Golan, and Hezbollah forces would be deployed on the frontlines of the combat against al-Qaeda and the ISIS. In addition, Hezbollah has received 75 tanks, and has formed the first new armored brigade.

Analysts argued that Russia's military cooperation with Hezbollah will provide this Movement with a new experience in collaboration with one of the most advanced countries of the world in terms of military supplies. Nadu Pollock wrote in ‘War & Rock web page: "It seems that cooperation between Russia and Hezbollah will increase. Hezbollah has already gained important experiences in conducting complex offensive operations in Syria. Fighting alongside the Russian army would be even a greater experience for Hezbollah, i.e., learning from one of the most powerful and well-experienced armies of the world.  

While Hezbollah has just begun to gain new experiences through military cooperation with the Russian, it has already demonstrated its capabilities as a learning and flexible organization in crisis in Syria. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that "military operations of Hezbollah have raised a new generation of experienced fighters in Syria that Hezbollah could benefit from. Hezbollah, together with the Shiite militias in Iraq, are the constituent components of the Axis of Resistance that have shown their capabilities in working together in multi-dimensional areas."

Jeffrey White, a military analyst wrote in a research article about the presence of Hezbollah in Syria. The article published in January last year in website of ‘Combating Terrorism Center’ argued that the lessons this group might have learned in Syria include:

1) To understand the role of artillery in the offensive and defensive operations, especially in deployment and cooperation of forces and their effects;

2) The need for sustained combat operations in a broad area in planning, command, control, support and deployment of troops and people;

3) The complexity and challenges of working with regular and irregular allies;

4) High loss of troops and resources in offensive operations;

5) Management and handling of offensive operations;

6) Planning and management of complex operations." 



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