Hassan Nasrallah Announces Hezbollah's 'Victory' in Area of Syria

Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, stated on Saturday, May 26, that during the past week, Hezbollah forces and pro-Syrian regime groups have succeeded in driving Sunni armed groups out of a vast area along the Syrian-Lebanese border. According to the Associated Press, Nasrallah announced the victory of his forces in the strategic mountainous region of Qalamoun, reporting that 13 Hezbollah members and seven Syrian army soldiers were killed in the battles in this area last week. The announcement of a total of 20 deaths from Hezbollah and the Syrian army comes as Arab media claim that the casualties inflicted on Hezbollah and the army loyal to Bashar al-Assad have been very heavy. At the same time, Hezbollah denied the death of Mohammad Yasin, one of its main commanders in Syria, stating that the photo claimed by Syrian opposition was of Ahmad Yasin, the nephew of Hassan Nasrallah's wife, who was killed two years ago in Syria. Hezbollah and its Secretary-General confirmed that their forces are fighting alongside the Syrian army to retake the areas of Idlib and Jisr al-Shughur, which have recently come under the control of the opposition group Jabhat al-Nusra. The Syrian army, with Hezbollah's support, is simultaneously engaged in battles against Jabhat al-Nusra and other Syrian opposition forces across various points in the country, while also continuing heavy fighting against fighters from the Islamic State (formerly ISIS). Despite Hezbollah's assistance and some Iranian support for Syria, ISIS forces have made advancements in areas of Syria, such as the ancient region of Palmyra; similarly, in recent weeks, ISIS has inflicted heavy defeats on the Iraqi army in Anbar province, expanding its control. In his remarks on Saturday night, Nasrallah accused Saudi Arabia and its supporters of being the cause of the creation and strengthening of ISIS, and referring to 'Yom al-Nakba' (the anniversary of Israel's independence, which Palestinians call 'Day of Catastrophe'), he said that today we are facing a 'new catastrophe' which is the 'catastrophe of the Takfiri project' that 'aims to completely destroy the countries where Takfiris emerge.' The Secretary-General of Hezbollah reiterated his strong criticism of Saudi Arabia for leading the Arab coalition in the attack on Yemen, stating that 'the atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia have never been perpetrated by America anywhere, nor by Israel against the Palestinians, because they did not target graves and sacred places, but the primitive desert mentality of these people has led them to destroy historical sites and graves as well.' Nasrallah also stated that he is not ill and that reports about his severe illness and hospitalization are 'psychological warfare.' In recent days, reports in the Arab world and some Israeli media suggested that Hassan Nasrallah had been hospitalized due to 'worsening illness,' with some reports claiming he was hospitalized in southern Beirut due to a stroke, and others repeating claims of his transfer to Iran. However, Nasrallah stated in a televised speech on Saturday night that he has no illness or 'physical problem' and is in need of no medicine or treatment, asserting that 'God determines the length of life.' He referred to the yellow liquid in a glass that is always beside him during speeches, stating that it is 'lemonade,' and then spoke about the properties of lemon and its use as 'lemonade,' recommending anyone who wants to speak to drink lemonade.