U.S. Efforts to Prevent Arms Shipment to Hezbollah via Syria
November 21, 2024, 10:01 am

U.S. Efforts to Prevent Arms Shipment to Hezbollah via Syria

أمريكا وحزب الله

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the United States is working on a proposal aimed at preventing arms from reaching Hezbollah through Syrian territory. Although Miller did not disclose the specifics of this proposal, he emphasized the importance of this effort in light of the security situation in Lebanon.

During a daily press conference, Miller confirmed that supplying weapons to Lebanon through Syria poses a major threat to stability in Lebanon and the region, a topic that receives significant attention from U.S. authorities. The American official reiterated the United States' determination to continue its efforts to cut off funding sources for Hezbollah.

Regarding reports that Israel has discovered Russian weapons in Hezbollah's possession, Miller noted that he had no assessment on the matter, but added that such information would be concerning if proven correct.

This statement follows a report published by the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal last Tuesday, which revealed that Israel had found large quantities of Russian weapons in the hands of Hezbollah. This information has confirmed Israel's previous concerns regarding Hezbollah's enhancement of its combat capabilities through acquiring advanced Russian arms.

According to the report, Syrian security officials and an Arab official stated that some of the weapons, including modern Kornet anti-tank missiles manufactured in 2020, were directed to southern Lebanon in recent years from Russian stockpiles in Syria.

The report indicated that the discovered weapons are newer and more advanced than military analysts had expected, including advanced Kornet missiles, mobile rocket launchers, and electronic jamming devices.

An Israeli army officer confirmed to the newspaper that about 60% to 70% of the weapons seized during the early days of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon were from Russia. Since then, Israeli soldiers have reported that they continue to discover new Russian weapons within Lebanon.

These complex developments illustrate the challenges faced by the United States and its allies in combating the increasing influence of Hezbollah and supporting its military capabilities through external sources, placing the region in a state of ongoing concern regarding stability and security.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.