Tensions flare between Hezbollah, Gulf states
Analysts say Hezbollah has made a sharp pivot toward confrontation with Gulf states, in part as a result of its alliance with Iran.
The undeclared war between some Arab Gulf countries and Lebanon's Hezbollah is on again, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Oct. 31 sentenced seven people to prison terms up to 15 years for links to the Shiite political party's armed wing, and Saudi Arabia reiterated Oct. 25 its determination to fight the group.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah lashed out at Saudi Arabia in an Oct. 12 sermon, his most recent. He labeled the country's battles in Yemen an expression of “hatred,” adding, “The Saud family will be defeated in Yemen.”
Gulf nations consider threats from Hezbollah a priority. The enmity between Hezbollah and the Gulf countries has been escalating over the past decade. The first trigger was the assassination of Lebanon's Saudi-friendly prime minister, Rafik Hariri, in February 2005. Hezbollah operatives are currently being prosecuted in that case by the international Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Hariri, a Sunni, was Saudi Arabia’s man in the Land of the Cedars.
The war in Syria — which began five years ago between mostly Sunni rebels and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Hezbollah — only added fuel to the fire already burning between the organization and Gulf countries. In March, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) declared Hezbollah a terror organization.
