On the Occasion of Ashura, Hezbollah Mobilizes Its Supporters

In a large hall in the southern suburbs of Beirut known as 'Dahiyeh', large images of Hezbollah commanders who were killed in the Syrian war in recent years are displayed. Thousands of Hezbollah supporters, dressed in black, have gathered in this hall during the days of Muharram to commemorate the Ashura incident and listen to speeches by affiliated clerics. Among them are young people seen in wheelchairs or with canes; they are those who have been disabled in the Syrian war. This month, Hezbollah lost Hassan al-Haj, its most prominent military commander to date in the Syrian conflict. This year, Hezbollah has attempted to mobilize its supporters for the war in Syria through the Muharram ceremonies and to rally public opinion in support of this war, especially since Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are paying the price of participation in this war with the blood of their forces. Hezbollah fighters play a central role in the major ground operations that the Syrian army, along with allied militias and Russian air support, began against the positions of the Assad regime's opponents about three weeks ago. Despite all recent diplomatic exchanges, there is still no clear horizon for the end of the war in Syria, but maintaining high morale seems to be of utmost importance. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, whose speech on the evening of October 23 was broadcast on large monitors in this hall in the southern suburbs of Beirut, described Assad's opponents as part of a 'terrorist plot.' According to him, his forces, referred to as 'the men of resistance,' must fight the opponents of Bashar al-Assad with greater numbers and strength. Before Nasrallah, several clerics affiliated with Hezbollah spoke about the necessity of continuing their presence in the Syrian war to prevent its 'transfer to Lebanon.' Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, stated last week that the costs incurred in the Syrian war are much less than what would have to be paid if the war were to be transferred to Lebanon. He added that 'Hezbollah uses its weapons to support Lebanon abroad.' The hall is adorned with paintings depicting the Ashura incident. The hall, filled with men, women, and children, witnesses the tears of attendees during the recitations of mourners. A mourner named Abu Ali, while reciting elegies, referred to the events in Syria, stating: 'The Syrian war is like the epic of Karbala and must continue. We are in the right position, our actions are correct, and with God's permission, we will be victorious.' Security measures in the streets leading to the hall are very strict. Hezbollah forces conduct searches to prevent potential incidents. With the emergence of the phenomenon of the 'Islamic State' (ISIS), the war in Syria has increasingly taken on a religious hue, especially since the 'Islamic State' considers Shiites as 'infidels' and 'deserving of death,' regardless of which regional or international power is behind its establishment. Sahar Al-Atrash, an expert on international crisis groups, told Reuters: 'Ashura has become an occasion for conveying political messages. Now Hezbollah says that the region is at a crossroads between Assad and ISIS. For them, this war is about survival.'