Lebanon’s new government has launched an unprecedented campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s long-standing influence, beginning with a strategic crackdown at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport—long considered a hub for the group’s smuggling operations.
Located in a Hezbollah-dominated area, the airport has for years served as a key transit point for goods, cash, and weapons funneled from Iran—Hezbollah’s primary sponsor. The Iranian regime has provided Hezbollah with financial, military, and logistical support for decades, enabling the group to entrench itself politically and militarily across Lebanon.
According to The Wall Street Journal (May 11), dozens of airport employees with known ties to Hezbollah have recently been dismissed. Lebanese security forces have stepped up enforcement of anti-smuggling regulations and introduced advanced surveillance systems powered by artificial intelligence. These moves are part of a broader effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s economic infrastructure.
One major recent success was the interception of over 50 kilograms of gold at the airport, allegedly intended for Hezbollah’s military and social activities. Authorities say this operation severely disrupted a financial pipeline used by the group.
Equally significant has been the Lebanese government’s decision to suspend direct flights from Iran since February. These flights had long served as discreet channels for delivering cash and military equipment to Hezbollah, often bypassing scrutiny. Their suspension marks a serious blow to the group’s operational capacity and a rare challenge to Tehran’s regional logistics network.
The measures come as Hezbollah faces increasing financial strain, partly due to the erosion of Iranian financial support amid Tehran’s worsening economic crisis and shifting regional priorities. The collapse of Iran’s ally, Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, has further disrupted key supply routes used to arm Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the government has regained control over the airport for the first time in years. “You can feel the difference,” he said, emphasizing the reduction in smuggling and corruption.
In addition to reclaiming control over the airport, the Lebanese military has moved to shut down illegal border crossings in the south and dismantle Hezbollah’s hidden weapons depots.
These developments are being closely watched by the United States and Israel. U.S. officials have welcomed the Lebanese government’s assertiveness, seeing it as a sign that the state is beginning to reassert sovereignty over territories previously under Hezbollah’s control. Meanwhile, Israel continues its targeted airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, further weakening the group.
Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah remains deeply embedded in Lebanon’s political landscape and still commands considerable influence. However, with Iran’s support under increasing strain, the group finds itself on uncertain footing.
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