The head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, announced in front of the television audience in Beirut that Syria would send more weapons to them in reaction to the Israeli air raids conducted this week around Syria’s capital of Damascus.
His speech, which marked the 25th anniversary of Al-Hour the Hezbollah radio station, comes only days after air raids in Syria by Israel reportedly had targeted a shipment of Iranian, advanced weapons en route to the Hezbollah.
Sources from Israel and the West said the air attacks were to take out Iranian missiles that were “game-changing” and destined for Lebanon and the Hezbollah. The Hezbollah fought in 2006 against Israel and is one of Syria President Bashar al-Assad’s staunchest allies.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah was worthy of having the weapons. He said the weapons would be used to defend his people, his country and holy sites.
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said U.S. stood by its commitment to protect Israel. Hagel said that the security of Israel was also enhanced by the defense cooperation the U.S. has with other partners in the region.
Fierce battles between Syria regime forces and rebels are taking place near Syria’s border with Lebanon and Nasrallah acknowledged his fighters are backing the Syrian government troops in their fight against the rebels that are trying to topple al-Assad.
Last month, with the help of Hezbollah fighters, the Syrian military intensified its attempt to retake the city Qusayr located near the border of Lebanon. It is located strategically south of Homs, the third largest city in Syria.
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