Hezbollah and Syria

Media buzz today is that Hezbollah, the Shiite Army of God, has deployed upwards of 4,000 militiamen to the conflict in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's military. The deployment is focused on al-Qusayr, a key town located between Damascus and its critical resupply points in Tartus and Latakia. The decisive battle for the town is currently ongoing with the Syrian government dedicating a large amount of resources to the battle. Rebels are putting up a good fight but are expected to lose eventually as their main resupply points have been severed. Hezbollah has also deployed forces to Aleppo and Damascus to support Syrian government efforts against rebels. So why are Hezbollah involved in Syria?

There are three broad reasons. Firstly, Syria and Iran support Hezbollah financially and politically. Indeed, Hezbollah is the biggest supporter of Syria in Lebanon. Secondly, Hezbollah is a Shiite group and is closely linked to Alawites, which dominate the current Syrian regime. The rebellion in Syria is largely Sunni and is comprised of thousands of hardline Salafist Sunnis who are opposed ideologically to Shiism and seek its absolute eradication. Hezbollah cannot tolerate a situation where a Sunni power comes to prominence in Syria. If that were to happen the group's finance and very existence would likely end. Thirdly, the war in Syria is increasingly impacting on Lebanon and with its large militia force in Lebanon and established ties to the Syrian regime not deploying these forces would be illogical. Hezbollah is here to stay and may prove the decider in the war for Syria.