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What’s behind Hezbollah’s safe zone project in Syria's Qalamoun?

A Hezbollah deal that is reportedly being discussed with the Syrian opposition for the repatriation of Syrian refugees into safe zones in Syria would face steep hurdles in negotiating with the Lebanese government.
A Lebanon Hezbollah fighter carries his weapon as he stands in Khashaat, in the Qalamoun region after they advanced in the area May 15, 2015.  When Lebanon's Hezbollah first joined Syria's war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad, its role was a closely guarded secret. Today, as Hezbollah plants its flag in land won from rebels north of Damascus, its role could hardly be more public. Picture taken May 15, 2015. To match Insight MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir


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As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces consolidate their authority over Syria, the armed factions on both sides of the conflict are now under pressure to bolster their holdings in anticipation of a looming political settlement. As part of the rising trend, regime ally Hezbollah may be looking to secure its influence in western Syria through the negotiation of a new deal, but is struggling to progress with the endeavour.

In a report published by The New Arab on Feb. 10, a Hezbollah official declared Hezbollah's plan to establish a safe zone in Qalamoun, where Syrian refugees could soon be relocated from neighboring Lebanon.

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