Following two major bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Hezbollah’s largest Shiite stronghold) in less than two months, Hezbollah decided to place the area under security lockdown. It has set up checkpoints, with explosives detection devices and bomb-sniffing dogs at all entrances linking it to Beirut. Under these procedures — which resemble an announcement that the party is in a state of maximum alert facing the war of explosives — every car entering the southern suburbs has to spend nearly two hours before being able to cross checkpoints set up by Hezbollah at all entrances and at the beginning of the main streets.
Informed sources revealed that the plan to lock down Beirut’s southern suburbs was ready a long time ago. It was planned as an exceptional measure that would be implemented on the ground once the party felt that there is an external decision to wage a security war against its positions and to terrorize the areas of its popular base. The terror actions are thought to be aimed at making the base feel that the cost of supporting Hezbollah is exorbitant, and that the only way it can safeguard its interests and security is through disengagement from the party.
