Hezbollah Acquired Russian Anti-Ship Missiles Via Syria, Warns United States
Lebanese group Hezbollah has recently obtained a substantial amount of potent Russian anti-ship missiles, insiders have reported. Possession of these missiles would enable the group to act on its leader’s cryptic threat to U.S. warships. The missiles, including the Russian-made Yakhont missile with a range of 300km (186 miles), present a significant risk in the event of any regional war, sources say.
The threat from Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah comes in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has sent shockwaves through the Middle East. Meanwhile, reports have suggested that Hezbollah was able to acquire the missiles via Syria, where the group has been active in aiding President Bashar al-Assad in a long-standing civil war.
The United States is taking Hezbollah’s capability and Nasrallah’s warning seriously, emphasizing its concerns over the potential threat. In the past, the group used an anti-ship missile to target an Israeli warship in the Mediterranean during a conflict in 2006, underscoring its enhanced capabilities.
U.S. officials have been closely monitoring Hezbollah’s military developments, particularly its possession of anti-ship missiles. Notably, the United States has taken measures to ensure its naval deployment in the Mediterranean is well-equipped to defend against potential missile threats. These developments come amid rising tensions between various factions in the region, including Hezbollah and Israel as well as other Iran-aligned groups.
Hezbollah’s secretive arsenal and its sources remain shrouded in mystery, with few details emerging about how the missiles were obtained. Nonetheless, the group’s latest warning to the United States is a clear indication of its preparedness and readiness to engage in potential military conflict.
The heightened tensions in the region, along with the involvement of various military powers, have raised concerns about a potential escalation into a major regional war. As such, the situation remains precarious, with the risk of further conflict looming.
