Hezbollah military tactics book

Sep 12, 20 the book sheds new light on the targeting of western and israeli interests in lebanon and abroad where hezbollah also runs extensive criminal enterprises, and the consolidation of its power. Although hezbollah and hamas are not organizationally linked, hezbollah provides military training as well as financial and moral support to hamas and has acted in some ways as a mentor or role model for the group. Hezbollah is generally considered the most powerful nonstate actor in the world, and to be stronger than the lebanese army. Ike skelton combined arms research library us army. Jan 17, 2019 for iran, hezbollah was already a success story by this point. More than just an iranianfunded terrorist organization, hezbollah is a comprehensive provider of social services to lebanons disenfranchised shiite masses, and a highly respected political player, known to forswear corruption. Military innovation and adaptation under fire by raphael d marcus was also released relatively recently, and similarly to rodmans book is an excellent study.

The outcome of the war that was, at best, a stalemate for israel has confounded military analysts throughout the world. Download the brief the issue hezbollah is the worlds most heavily armed nonstate actor, with a large and diverse stockpile of unguided artillery rockets, as well as ballistic, antiair, antitank, and antiship missiles. Reviews levitt creatively deploys his deep knowledge coupled with the scrupulous collection, analysis, and exploitation of information and intelligence in support of his arguments against hezbollah. Hezbollah, which has fired 3,000 missiles on targets inside israel in the past 28 days, is still in control of a minimum 9,000 missiles. But despite its limitations it has proved to be a disciplined and effective fighting force.

Hezbollah has targeted israeli and western military personnel and citizens, particularly in the middle east. This article needs additional citations for verification. This is an insiders account of the antisemitic organization hezbollah. The reality is that hezbollah is so secretive that jaber doesnt have enough material for a full book at least, not without providing more detail on hazbollahs attacks, which she wont do. This is a list of some of the military equipment used by the paramilitary wing of hezbollah.

Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Hezbollahs missiles and rockets center for strategic. Iranian made hezbollahs tactics 2006 war with israel 1 of 3. Hezbollah international relations oxford bibliographies. S and french military personnel in 1984 and the 1985 retreat of the israelis from. Hezbollah targets key us military spots, have kidnapped and killed us officers, and many other westerners over their existence.

Hezbollah changes battle tactics to fight syrian rebels the. Long considered the most professional and powerful army in the middle east, with a history of impressive military. Mar 10, 2018 since the early 1980s, hezbollah has been an aggressive politicomilitary actor influencing regional politics in the middle east, particularly lebanon. Israels past misadventures in lebanon, ironically, helped create hezbollah and have also helped proliferate the groups appeal and legitimacy. Hezbollah portrays itself as a force that resists the actions of israel and the worlds superpowers. The combined arms research library carl is a comprehensive military research center supporting the army command and general staff college. The book is chronologically disjointed as a result of jabers lack of focus. Israels long war with hezbollah georgetown university press. While the group is believed to operate all over the continent, germany is a center of activity, with 950 members. Hezbollah hones new tactics in syrian civil war commando strikes, hitandruns and recon missions prevail as lebanese shiite group helps assad hold on by bassem mroue 12 april 2014, 6. Hezbollah uses its fighting force to wage an irregular warfare campaign against israel.

Since hezbollahs formation, the organization has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have killed hundreds, including u. In long fight with israel, hezbollah tactics evolved the. When the book was published in 1997, she asserted contrary to all the evidence that hezbollah knows that its military resistance would be terminated once israel withdraws from south lebanon p. In the past, hezbollah targeted embassies, and even conducted military campaigns involving shelling of towns in northern israel, kidnapping westerners in. Chapters four and five trace the activities and tactics of hezbollah as the key force in the resistance against the israeli occupation and the organizations postw ar evolution into a political. Apr 29, 2012 hezbollah was created by iran in 1982 and is backed financed by iran, it also receives training and equipment by iran. Overviews of hezbollah will widely differ depending on the author. The strategy deployed is not onedimensional in that hezbollah is not just a radical militant group. Hezbollah has the armed strength of a mediumsized army. Like hezbollah, it has become a governing force committed to a political and diplomatic strategy dictated by the public it controls, alongside its military tactics. The things about hezbollah that worry us, as americans, are. Its websites reflect the groups diverse agenda and aim to be multigenerational in their approach, offering information about social services as well as a video game to engage youth.

The book sheds new light on the targeting of western and israeli interests in lebanon and abroad where hezbollah also runs extensive criminal enterprises, and the consolidation of its power. Strategy, targets, and methods of operations party of god. By alternating tactics, he went on, hezbollah was able to maintain the initiative and, after a clash, melt away into a largely sympathetic populace. When the outposts were reinforced, hezbollah responded with indirect mortar and rocket fire. When the outposts were reinforced, hezbollah responded with indirect mortar and. An analysis of hezbollahs use of irregular warfare by stephen keith mulhern, b. Similarly, the debate captured in part ii between idf modernisers and traditionalists will be relevant to military historians interested in.

They also expanded their efforts to train a reorganized proassad paramilitary force. Hezbollah s transition from what israeli general amiram levin refers to in the book as a terrorist organisation to a guerrilla group is delineated in full. A short history by augustus richard norton1 for greater depth and insight into hezbollah s leadership. While hezbollah is an irregular force, it has demonstrated the successful use and blending of both irregular and conventional warfare, in what is known as hybrid warfare. Hezbollah tactics and weaponry for the 2006 conflict took everyone by surprise as they exhibited an improved weapon stockpile and strategies with the tacit help of iran and syria. Hezbollahs tactics and capabilities in southern lebanon. Hezbollah is an important book for scholars, policymakers, students, and the general public interested in international security, terrorism, international criminal organizations, and middle east studies. Inside hezbollah s thirtyyear struggle against israel by. Hezbollah s tactics have evolved since its creation. Military operations of the 2006 lebanon war wikipedia. According to lina khatib within the article hezbollahs political strategy, hezbollah has followed a sophisticated and adaptive political strategy that blends military, social, economic and religious elements khatib, p.

This begins the second period of hezbollahs methods of operation, which begins during the 1990s. Hezbollahs military tactics in the 1990s demonstrated the islamic. The global footprint of lebanons party of god, matthew levitt, through adept storytelling and impressive attention to historical detail, manages to teach even longtime students of the middle east a great deal about hezbollah. Hezbollahs modern military tactics are amazing the world. This article examines hezbollahs strategy and the evolution of their tactical performance. Hezbollah antiamour tactics and weapons assessment of the second lebanon war by col. Hezbollah was officially formed in 1985 as a political party with a paramilitary force to counter israeli invasion of lebanon.

Russia is teaching hezbollah some terrifying new tricks. So far, israeli defence forces idf casualties have. Jan 01, 2011 written by a journalist based on his twenty odd years of english language journalistic experience in lebanon, the book provides insights into hizbollah, its philosophy, strategy and tactics. Hamas may be flattered by hezbollah comparisons, but the. By the 1990s the group was responsible for most of the attacks on israeli troops, attacks that exhibited careful planning and professionalism. How hezbollah came to dominate information warfare rand. A disciplined hezbollah surprises israel with its training. Jun 09, 2014 israels top military officer warned today that hezbollah s capabilities have grown substantially since the 2006 war, putting much of israel within the reach of the lebanese shiite militant. Those interested in hezbollah s military tactics and its procurement of weapons from iran will find useful material in the book. Amir kulicks analysis of hezbollah s military posture before and after the 2006 lebanon war is a good example of an israeli seeking to understand an organization that is, for israel, both a declared and actual adversary. Micallef is a bestselling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker.

The groups strategy against israel uses rockets as offensive weaponry combined with light infantry and antiarmor units to defend their firing positions in. United nations resolution 1559 calls for hezbollah to be disarmed and the lebanese army to be deployed to southern lebanon, which has not been implemented. May 11, 2009 hezbollah, on hassan nasrallahs hasty orders, squandered thousands of rockets either by firing them into israel or having them destroyed by the israeli air force. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. Hezbollah has also fought against government forces in yemen. Military innovation and adaptation under fire marcus, raphael d. Hezbollah fighters at the border between lebanon and. Its membership phenomenally grew after their direct confrontation with israeli defence forces in lebanon, 2006. It also serves as the post library for the fort leavenworth community. Written by a journalist based on his twenty odd years of english language journalistic experience in lebanon, the book provides insights into hizbollah, its philosophy, strategy and tactics. Inside hezbollahs thirtyyear struggle against israel blanford. First off, all john pooles books should be read by the secretary of defense on down to the grunt in the field and more military outfits should go through his course. Hezbollah antiamour tactics and weapons defence forum. You should definitely read this if you dont know much about the organization, but im also sure that knowledgeable readers will find some new details.

Hezbollah s military tactics in the 1990s demonstrated the islamic resistances ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Sep 05, 2019 israels military worldview is based on the concept of core deterrence. Hezbollahs strategy and tactics in the security zone from 1985 to. Israels military worldview is based on the concept of core deterrence. Hezbollah is trained with american and israeli military manuals that emphasize tactics of attrition, mobility, intelligence gathering and nighttime maneuvering. The groups ideology, motivations, and training, as well as new information on military tactics, weapons, and sophisticated.

Hezbollahs military tactics in the 1990s demonstrated the islamic resistances ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Secondly, this particular book and his previous work tactics of the crescent moon. A history of the party of god dominique avon and anaistrissa khatchadourian, trans. The story from within by naim qassem2 norton writes with great clarity on the roots of hezbollah and t.

History has proven jaber wrong on at least one point. Hezbollahs military leadership has rethought much of the strategic and tactical doctrine that led to the repeated defeat of arab regular forces by. Hezbollah views its rocket and missile arsenal as its primary deterrent against israeli military action, while also useful for quick retaliatory strikes and longer military. Never before seen on western televisions,a series of hezbollah s tactics and. List of books and articles about hezbollah online research. Hezbollah s information warfare portfolio includes newspapers, social media outlets, television programming, and a major internet presence. Hezbollah s employment suicide bombing during the 1980s. Its author is a lieutenant colonel in military intelligence mi, personal aide to mi director and formerly head of the lebanon section in the intelligence department of northern command. A hybrid force, the group maintains robust conventional and unconventional military capabilities. Fairly objective, he interviewed both hizbollah fighters as well as israeli military personnel with a smattering use of secondary sources. Hezbollah develops new tactics in syrian civil war. Hezbollah hones new tactics in syrian civil war the times.

Hezbollahs transition from what israeli general amiram levin refers to in the book as a terrorist organisation to a guerrilla group is delineated in full. Hezbollahs combat tactics have been increasingly refined over recent years, and the group is now on the cutting edge of terrorist and jihadi warfare. Hezbollah changes battle tactics to fight syrian rebels. Israel and hezbollah have adopted informal rules of engagement as both sides prepare for possible war while trying to avoid setting it off. Hezbollah also employed more conventional military tactics and weaponry, notably katyusha rockets and other missiles. Goksel says, has clear tactics, trying to draw israeli ground troops farther into lebanon. They cant take the israelis in open battle, he said, so they want to draw them in to. Some might not like the book, because most of the focus is on hezbollah and he does not portray israel in the best light. Jun 02, 2019 hezbollah still maintains a military wing to defend civilians from israel as was evidenced by israels invasion of lebanon in 2006 and due to the israeli occupation of lebanons chebaa farms. Over the last several decades, the militant lebanese organization hezbollah has morphed from an.

What makes marcuss book stand out is his analysis of both israels and hezbollahs strategic and tactical developments, and how the two entities fed off of and. National security interests in the middle east prepared testimony of daniel byman professor and senior associate dean, edmund a. Blanford has spent decades covering hezbollah and he fills the book with personal experiences in southern lebanon. Hezbollah s military wing has often been dismissed as merely a militia or terrorist organization. The book concludes with a look at hezbollahs integral, ongoing role in irans shadow war with israel and the west, including plots targeting civilians around the. Arenss approach has resurfaced in 2019, in light of the fact that hezbollah is integral to the lebanese state and politics. Hezbollahs strategy and tactics in the security zone from.

The hezbollah military command structure is often discussed by political activists, but it is rarely understood. Hezbollah hones new tactics in syrian civil war the. Jul 26, 2015 hezbollah was one of the first groups to use suicide bombings in the middle east. The tactics it has adopted would pose a growing challenge to any military, even one as experienced in asymmetric operations as the idf.

Although hezbollah was considered only as an armed militia, the display of their technical prowess and fighting capabilities took israel by surprise with the. Most recently, the group has targeted the syrian sunni opposition forces and the islamic state in the syrian civil war. Lebanonbased terrorist organization, an ally of the assad regime, uses special forces squads for covert operations deep in enemy territory. For six years, the idf conducted a counterinsurgency campaign.

Learning from hezbollah middle east strategy at harvard. A monograph by major leroy bryant butler united states marine corps school of advanced military studies united states army command and general staff college fort leavenworth, kansas. Hezbollahs combat concept dated january 2006 is a highly restricted page booklet, crammed with data on bunkers and katyusha rockets and other military installations. Understanding hezbollahs military engagement in syria. Based on more than a decade and a half of reporting in lebanon and conversations with hezbollah s determined fighters, blanford reveals their ideology, motivations, and training, as well as new information on military tactics, weapons, and sophisticated electronic warfare and communications systems. Hezbollah develops new tactics in syrian civil war lebanese militia turns to commando operation similar to those used against israel to hunt down rebels. The book began as the authors doctoral thesis in war. Hence, drawing the conclusion that beating israel and government defeatism, as lieberman puts it, are liable to encourage other organizations, including hezbollah. This at least, may have been worth the effort by israel. Changes include a repositioning and fortification of bases, increased use of unmanned aircraft and. The book is based on unique fieldwork in israel and lebanon, extensive research into hebrew and arabic primary sources, and dozens of interviews marcus conducted with israeli defense officials, highranking military officers of the israel defense forces idf, united nations personnel, a hezbollah official, and western diplomats.

After subsequent yet successful arab springs, hezbollahs political popularity took a sudden dive. The book leaves little doubt as to the increasing importance, danger, and international reach of hezbollah. Department of state designated hezbollah a foreign terrorist organization, pursuant to section 219 of the immigration and nationality act, and it remains. Hezbollahs military strength is somewhat based on the quantity and quality of the rockets they possess, which they use against their primary enemy, israel. The global footprint of lebanons party of god revised. It is based on the strong fundamentals of shia islam of jehad to counter zionist aggression and resist against the imper. When the idf and sla employed fixed outposts, hezbollah responded by frontal assaults. Militant muslim combat tactics should be mandatory reading for every soldier, sailor, airman, or marine deploying to iraq or afghanistan. Part two digs deeper into operational adaptation the changing tactical choices of hezbollah and the idf. This is their trademark method of operation, however recently they have branched away from solely using suicide tactics as their main method of attack. Hezbollah is an irregular force, influenced by irregular warfare theory.