AP
FILE – This 2021 photo shows Russian surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon system Pantsir-S1 roll along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
CNN
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The US has intelligence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to provide the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with a Russian-made missile defense system, according to two informed sources.
The Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group, operating in Syria, is responsible for delivering the surface-to-air SA-22 missile system, as reported by the sources. The current status of the delivery remains unknown. Originally, this system was provided by Russia to support the Syrian government.
One source reveals that the US has been monitoring the system’s recent movements, which is commonly referred to as a Pantsir. Another source states that the US assessment is based on intelligence gathered from discussions among Assad, Wagner, and Hezbollah regarding the delivery of this system.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported on the possibility of Wagner supplying the system to Hezbollah, but Assad’s involvement was not known until now.
Both Wagner and Hezbollah fighters have been actively operating in Syria for several years, collaborating with Russian and Syrian armed forces to support the Assad regime against Syrian opposition. Recent evidence suggests an increasing collaboration between Hezbollah and Wagner in Syria, according to a third source familiar with western intelligence.
The possibility of Hezbollah acquiring a new air defense system raises concerns about the militants potentially opening a new front on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. In response, the US has deployed aircraft carriers and troops to the region to deter any escalation.
In the past, Israel has targeted these missile systems within Syria as part of broader attacks on Iranian military sites in the country.
The extent of Russia’s influence over the decision to provide the system to Hezbollah remains unclear. Since the death of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in August, the Kremlin has taken steps to absorb Wagner mercenaries and their assets. However, as of late September, there has been no definitive shift in Kremlin ownership, as reported by CNN.
Earlier this month, Russia hosted Hamas leaders in Moscow, which drew condemnation from the Israeli government.
According to recent reports, the US intelligence community believes that Iran and its proxies are calculating their response to the Israeli military intervention in Gaza, aiming to avoid direct conflict with Israel or the US while still inflicting costs on their adversaries.
However, officials note that Iran does not have complete control over its proxy groups, particularly Hezbollah. As an ally of Hamas, Hezbollah has positioned itself as a fighter against Israel. US officials are concerned that internal politics within Hezbollah may escalate tensions.
Intelligence officials will closely monitor a major speech by Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday for any signals regarding the group’s intentions.
CNN’s Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.
