Post #64284

📌 US Involvement in the Attempted Assassination of Hezbollah Chief Wafiq Safa In today’s article, Ibrahim Al-Amin delves into alarming claims by senior Lebanese security officials, suggesting possible US involvement in an Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah's Wafiq Safa. Safa, head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit, was the alleged target of the airstrike in Beirut last Thursday. Although Hezbollah denied that Safa was hit, suspicions about Washington’s role in the assassination attempt have intensified. According to three senior Lebanese officials, Western intelligence services, led by the US, have maintained direct contact with Lebanon’s military and security institutions since the outbreak of open war between Lebanon and “Israel”. The officials revealed that US intelligence has been especially focused on Hezbollah’s communications with Lebanese authorities during the conflict. One official noted that Hezbollah had instructed Safa to maintain contact with Lebanese military and security officials despite the risks involved. This communication reportedly became the focal point for US and Israeli intelligence, culminating in the airstrike on Beirut. The airstrike has heightened Hezbollah’s belief that the US played a role in orchestrating the attempt on Safa's life. Although Safa holds no military role, making him an unlikely target, Israeli forces reportedly carried out the strike, potentially on behalf of Washington. One Lebanese security official stated, “Israel has no objection to assassinating Safa; after all, he was once an assistant to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. But this operation seems driven by US intelligence, aimed at severing Hezbollah’s ties to Lebanon’s military and security officials”. The official went on to explain that the US might be signaling its intent to undermine Hezbollah’s influence by targeting non-military figures, like Safa, whose connections could apply pressure on Lebanese authorities. Furthermore, the assassination attempt is seen as part of a broader campaign, spearheaded by US Ambassador to Beirut Lisa Johnson, who has reportedly urged Lebanese political forces to prepare for a “post-Hezbollah era”. Compounding these suspicions, on October 10, a team of 15 CIA officers arrived in Beirut and was immediately transported to the US embassy in Awkar. This new cell joined the existing CIA operation in Lebanon, which includes 12 key officers tasked with overseeing intelligence gathering and coordinating actions. These operations, cloaked under the guise of counterterrorism, aim to disrupt Hezbollah’s communications and influence. One Lebanese security official revealed that US intelligence’s influence in Lebanon has evolved dramatically over the past decade, particularly with the appointment of Sherry Baker as the CIA’s new Beirut station chief. Baker has participated in several meetings with Lebanese security officials during official visits to Washington, and five Lebanese officers have made work trips to the CIA’s Langley headquarters in recent months. This investigation raises significant questions about the extent of US involvement in the targeting of Hezbollah figures and the broader implications of such actions. By potentially supporting Israeli operations against Hezbollah’s non-military personnel, the US may be signaling a shift in its strategy, aiming to destabilize the movement’s ties to Lebanese institutions while exerting pressure on Hezbollah’s political influence. Full article by Ibrahim al-Amin, editor-in-chief of Al-Akhbar, can be found in Arabic here: https://www.al-akhbar.com/Lebanon/385413