Lebanese Resistance Brigades
| Lebanese Resistance Brigades Saraya al-Moukawama al-Lubnaniyya | |
|---|---|
| سرايا المقاومة اللبنانية | |
| Leaders | Mohammed Aknan (Beirut) Mohammad Saleh (Sidon) † |
| Dates of operation | 1998–2000 2009–present |
| Active regions | Southern Lebanon, particularly Sidon |
| Ideology | Lebanese nationalism Multiconfessionalism Anti-Zionism |
| Size | Unknown |
| Part of | Hezbollah |
| Allies | March 8 Alliance[1] |
| Opponents |  Israel Fatah al-Islam Tahrir al-Sham Islamic State |
| Battles and wars | South Lebanon conflict (1985-2000) 2006 Lebanon War Syrian Civil War Battle of Sidon (2013) Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present) |
| Part of a series on |
| Hezbollah |
|---|
The Lebanese Resistance Brigades (Arabic: سرايا المقاومة اللبنانية; Saraya al-Muqawama al-Lubnaniya) is a non-denominational Lebanese paramilitary group affiliated with Hezbollah. The group is an irregular militia that is composed of Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Druze who subscribe to Lebanese nationalism and strong anti-Zionist beliefs.[2] The Resistance Brigades are funded, trained, armed, and founded by Hezbollah. The group's manpower, composition, and strength are unclear.
The group was founded in 1997 to counter Israel, but its focus has since expanded to countering Sunni extremists like ISIL as well.[2][3]
Founding
[edit]The Resistance Brigades were founded to increase the manpower of anti-Israeli forces in Lebanon and to deny Israel freedom of movement in non-Shia areas.[3] West Point's Combating Terrorism Center reports that the Resistance Brigades were founded in November 1997,[3] while other sources claim early 1990s, 2004, or 2009.[4][5][6]
Training
[edit]Resistance Brigade members are trained in Hezbollah-run camps alongside normal Hezbollah recruits. However, they do not receive Hezbollah's ideological training.[2] A recruiter described the group as "made for non-extremist people."[2] The militia is popular among Christians in Beqaa Valley and north Lebanon.[7]
History
[edit]The brigades first saw combat in 1998 during the South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000).[3] They claim to have engaged in over three hundred operations before Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. The group was also involved in the 2006 Lebanon War with Israel.[3]
The militia is described as an "operational auxiliary" or subsidiary of Hezbollah.[3][8] Group members fight under the Hezbollah flag and command structure in combat, but are at least nominally separate in peacetime. They also receive intelligence from Hezbollah.[3][4]
Involvement in Syria
[edit]Resistance Brigade units have been involved in the Syrian Civil War. They do not engage in combat but rather support Hezbollah logistically and act as interlocutors between Hezbollah and Christian and Sunni communities.[2] Despite this, some fighters have been killed in Syria.
Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
[edit]The Brigades have been involved in the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel conflict (2023-present). Some members of the group were killed during clashes with Israeli forces in October 2023.[9] In July 2024, the Brigades conducted their first military operations against Israel, using missiles to strike sites in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms.[10][11]
Equipment
[edit]| Model | Type | Quantity | Acquired | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 | Assault rifle | Hezbollah | USSR | [2] | |
| Technical | Improvised fighting vehicle | Hezbollah | Lebanon | [4] | |
| 9M14 Malyutka | ATGM | Hezbollah | USSR | [4] |
Criticism
[edit]Resistance Brigade fighters are less disciplined and subject to less strict rules than Hezbollah fighters.[6][12] Consequently, the brigades have been involved in a large number of violent confrontations with police, the Lebanese Army, and various Lebanese partisans.[12] Lebanese Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, member of the Future Movement, criticized the group for challenging the sovereignty of the Lebanese government.[13]
Critics contend that the group is no longer focused on fighting Israel, but rather exists as political cover for Hezbollah's actions and as a containment group for thugs and troublemakers.[12] Likewise, some Sunnis have charged the Resistance Brigades with focusing more on countering Sunni fundamentalism than Israel.[2]
The Resistance Brigades have also been accused of converting Sunni youth to Shia Islam, a charge the group denies.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Army coordinating with Resistance Brigades in Sidon". NOW Lebanon. June 24, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Christian, Sunni And Shia: Meet Hezbollah's Non-Denominational Military Branch Defending Lebanon, Fighting In Syria". International Business Times. 4 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hizb Allah's Lebanese Resistance Brigades - Combating Terrorism Center at West Point".
- ^ a b c d "Taking charge". The Economist. 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Hezbollah turns in wanted Resistance Brigades members". 18 August 2016.
- ^ a b Al-awsat, Asharq (21 August 2016). "Machnouk Describes Resistance Brigades as Occupation Brigades - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English".
- ^ "Hezbollah calls for resistance against IS". 27 August 2014.
- ^ Rowell, Alex. "Hezbollah unlikely to drop 'Resistance Brigades'". Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
- ^ "السرايا اللبنانية للمقاومة نعت اثنين من عناصرها سقطا أثناء "قيامهما بواجبهما الوطني"". 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ ""LEBANESE RESISTANCE BRIGADES" TARGETS THE ROUEISAT AL-QARN SITE WITH MISSILE WEAPONS, ACHIEVES DIRECT HIT". National News Agency. 12 July 2024.
- ^ "In its first operations, Lebanese Brigades to resist Occupation targets "Ruwaisat Al-Qarn" website". www.saba.ye. 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b c d "Lebanese Resistance Leader: The Saraya Is Here to Stay". Archived from the original on 2017-02-10. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
- ^ "Lebanese interior minister: Hezbollah-linked resistance brigades are occupation brigades". orient-news.net. Retrieved 2016-12-11.