Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, stated that the group has lost its primary supply route for weapons from the Iranian regime, which passed through Syria.
This is the first time the Hezbollah leader publicly acknowledged that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria has impacted the group’s ability to procure weapons following heavy Israeli attacks.
Under Assad’s rule, Syria was Iran’s most significant state ally in a regional coalition, which included political groups and militias like Hezbollah. It also served as the primary geographical link for transferring weapons and equipment from Iran to Lebanon.
Assad’s overthrow has jeopardized Syria’s relationship with the Iranian regime and raised questions about its future ties with Hezbollah, which fought alongside Assad against the rebels.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Qassem, in his first public statement after Assad’s fall, said, “Yes, Hezbollah has lost its military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this is just a minor issue within the broader resistance.”
He added, “This supply route may return to normal with the new government, and there are always other ways. The resistance is flexible and can adapt.”
Hezbollah, regarded as the most powerful militia backed by the Iranian regime, suffered significant losses after joining Hamas’s conflict with Israel, including the death of its former secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli targeted bombing.
These clashes intensified in the autumn and ended with a ceasefire agreement in late November. Israel targeted weapon smuggling infrastructure in Lebanon and Syria, including border crossings, smuggling convoys, and weapons production facilities, to disrupt Hezbollah’s supply chain.
Moreover, Assad’s fall threatened the Iranian regime’s influence in Syria, especially after Hezbollah forces and Iranian military personnel withdrew from Syria when their inability to sustain Assad’s power against rebel attacks became evident.
