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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hezbollah Drones Wreak Havoc On Syrian Rebel Bases |
| 2014-09-22 |
| [IsraelTimes] For the first time in its history, Shiite terror group Hezbollah carried out a successful unmanned aircraft strike, targeting al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebel bases near the northeastern Lebanese town of Arsal early Sunday, according to the Iranian Fars News Agency. Until Sunday's battle with the Syrian rebels, Hezbollah had used unmanned aircraft primarily for reconnaissance missions, including an alleged operation across the Israeli border in April 2013, during which the Israel Defense Forces managed to down a suspected Hezbollah drone only 10 kilometers west of Haifa. At the time, the Shiite group's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, denied that the drone belonged to the organization. The group's unprecedented drone attack was reported to have killed at least 23 fighters from the extremist al-Nusra Front. Hezbollah ground troops continued the offensive on the rebel bases, and several al-Nusra operatives were held captive by the Lebanese militia, the semi-official Iranian news agency reported. Abu Leith al-Shami, a Lebanese national, and a high ranking al-Nusra official, was also said to have been killed in battle with Hezbollah. Hezbollah's push-back against the al-Nusra Front comes a day after a suicide bomber killed a number of people at a checkpoint near Lebanon's border with Syria, only hours after the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda had reportedly executed a Lebanese soldier. The drone strikes by Hezbollah highlight the group's advanced military capabilities and signify a worrying development for Israel, which has been closely monitoring hostilities across the border. Earlier Sunday, a Hezbollah official asserted that it could capture a chunk of the Galilee, including some border communities, in a future conflict with Israel, the Walla news site reported. A senior Israeli army official made a similar assessment last week. The senior IDF official warned that while Hezbollah has no immediate plan to attack Israel, a minor security incident could erupt into a full-fledged war on Israel's northern front. In the event of a confrontation with Hezbollah, the fighting would likely last some four months, would have the IDF face some 30,000 troops, would incur extensive civilian casualties on the Lebanese side, and may see infiltration into northern Israeli towns to carry out attacks, the official predicted. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #6 *giggle* |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2014-09-22 16:10 |
| #5 The sound of their little wings groaning Gives notice of Hezbollah droning, But they strike sure and swift Once they manage to lift Enough rocks to permit a good stoning. |
| Posted by: Zenobia Flogcer6220 2014-09-22 13:14 |
| #4 What of weapons? Hellfire-type missiles? Wing-mounted muskets? Or did they use the propeller to chop 'em up? Inquiring minds want to know! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2014-09-22 12:35 |
| #3 No doubt. Likely also Chinese tech. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2014-09-22 08:18 |
| #2 I suspect "Hizbollah" is code for IRG in this context. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2014-09-22 02:47 |
| #1 Seems like hezbollah has their hands full in syria! Maybe they move up too triple AAA before jumping right too the majors. |
| Posted by: chris 2014-09-22 01:52 |