• Hezbollah members take part in a military exercise in Aaramta, Lebanon. Reuters
    Hezbollah members take part in a military exercise in Aaramta, Lebanon. Reuters
  • An explosion as the armed group stages a mock cross-border raid into Israel. AFP
    An explosion as the armed group stages a mock cross-border raid into Israel. AFP
  • Fighters on motorbikes at the show of strength on Resistance and Liberation Day, which commemorates an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. AP
    Fighters on motorbikes at the show of strength on Resistance and Liberation Day, which commemorates an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. AP
  • Fighters leapt through rings of fire. AP
    Fighters leapt through rings of fire. AP
  • The show of strength was the largest that Hezbollah has staged. EPA
    The show of strength was the largest that Hezbollah has staged. EPA
  • Hundreds of masked fighters at the media event. Reuters
    Hundreds of masked fighters at the media event. Reuters
  • Hezbollah said the aim was to show its 'complete readiness to confront any aggression'. AFP
    Hezbollah said the aim was to show its 'complete readiness to confront any aggression'. AFP
  • Light and heavy weapons and vehicles, including anti-aircraft weapons and these rocket launchers, were on display. EPA
    Light and heavy weapons and vehicles, including anti-aircraft weapons and these rocket launchers, were on display. EPA
  • Onlookers take pictures of the fighters. AFP
    Onlookers take pictures of the fighters. AFP
  • Hezbollah's conflict with Israel has been largely frozen since they fought the deadly conflict of 2006. AP
    Hezbollah's conflict with Israel has been largely frozen since they fought the deadly conflict of 2006. AP
  • Israel continues to regularly hit targets related to Hezbollah and Iran in neighbouring Syria. AFP
    Israel continues to regularly hit targets related to Hezbollah and Iran in neighbouring Syria. AFP
  • Israel blamed Hamas, the Palestinian political party and armed group, for cross-border exchanges in April. Reuters
    Israel blamed Hamas, the Palestinian political party and armed group, for cross-border exchanges in April. Reuters

Hezbollah stages mock border raids in message to Israel


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that holds significant sway in Lebanon, made a show of force on Sunday by staging a large-scale military manoeuvre in the south of the country.

The Iran-backed group put on a mock cross-border attack against its archenemy Israel, in a rare demonstration for journalists.

Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif said it was the largest media event it had organised.

Masked gunmen jumped through flaming hoops, climbed up ropes, fired from the backs of motorcycles and shot at mocked-up Israeli targets.

They also staged a cross border raid with the support of a drone attack, as explosions pummeled a hill overlooking the site in southern Lebanon.

Both light and heavy weapons and vehicles, including anti-aircraft weapons and rocket launchers, were on show.

Hashem Safieddine, the most senior Hezbollah official present, said the exercise was meant to “confirm our complete readiness to confront any aggression”.

He said that if Israel were ever to “dream of doing something foolish … we will rain down our precision missiles and all the weapons at our disposal”.

A missile fired from a drone explodes next to a fence with Israeli flags as part of a training exercise for Hezbollah. EPA
A missile fired from a drone explodes next to a fence with Israeli flags as part of a training exercise for Hezbollah. EPA

Such rhetoric from both sides is common, with both often saying they are prepared for war.

On the ground the conflict has been largely frozen since they fought the deadly conflict of 2006.

However, Israel regularly hits targets related to Hezbollah and Iran in neighbouring Syria. Hezbollah has played an important role in supporting the government of Bashar Al Assad during Syria's 12-year civil war.

Sunday’s parade was held to mark the 23rd anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day. It commemorates the occasion that Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon as they came under attack from Hezbollah.

While that day is celebrated in Lebanon, opinions on Hezbollah are deeply divided. Critics accuse it of operating outside of the state and of being a pawn of Iran in Lebanon.

Many western countries have proscribed both Hezbollah's armed and political wings.

Last month Israel launched strikes on southern Lebanon after about three dozen rockets were fired from there into Israel, injuring two people and causing some property damage.

Israel said the attack was aimed at military installations of Hamas, the Palestinian political party and armed group, which it blamed for the attacks on southern Lebanon.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)

6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

MATCH INFO

Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)

Charles 57, Amla 47

Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)

Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9

Bangla Tiger win by five wickets

Updated: May 22, 2023, 7:57 AM