April 22, 2014
Hezbollah's Involvement in the Civil War in Syria: Hezbollah regards the takeover of Yabrud as a security and morale-boosting achievement, costing the organization relatively few losses.
Hezbollah operatives cerebrate their victory after the takeover of the city of Yabrud (YouTube, March 16, 2014).
The Takeover of the City of Yabrud
1. On March 15 and 16, 2014, the Syrian army, with Hezbollah assistance, took over Yabrud, a city in the Qalamoun region near the main road leading from Damascus to Homs. According to Lebanese and Syrian media reports, Yabrud was conquered in a swift military move that took less than 48 hours. According to the media, before the takeover roads leading in were blocked, the hills overlooking the city were occupied and artillery was used to weaken the rebels inside the city.
2. The Syrian army and Hezbollah's rapid takeover of Yabrud caused some of the rebels to flee, reducing the number of casualties among the attacking force, and possibly contributing to lessening the physical destruction of the city. However, a senior source in the joint Syrian army-Hezbollah operations room reported that the Al-Nusra Front, a branch of Al-Qaeda and the most prominent organization among the rebel forces which defended the city, had lost hundreds of operatives in Yabrud as well as large quantities of military equipment (Al-Ra'i, Kuwait, March 17, 2014).
058-14 2
3. After the takeover of Yabrud the Syrian army, with Hezbollah support, began clearing the regions near the Syrian-Lebanese border. In our assessment the main military effort was directed at clearing rebel fighters from the cities, towns and villages lying between the Damascus-Yabrud road and the Syrian-Lebanese border (the media noted Ras al-Eyn, Al-Zabadani, Ranqus, Maaloula, Ras Maara and others). The military effort has not yet ended and battles with the rebels continue in the area (as of the beginning of April 2014).
Yabrud and Al-Qusayr, two important cities lying near the Damascus-Homs road; Hezbollah participated in their takeover. In the campaign for Al-Qusayr Hezbollah played a leading role, while in the campaign for Yabrud Hezbollah operated as an auxiliary for to the Syrian army (Map: Google Maps).
Hezbollah operatives clear a house in Yabrud and capture an Al-Nusra Front sniper (YouTube, March 16, 2014).
058-14 3
Exposure of Workshops for Making Booby-Trapped Cars
4. Hezbollah's TV station reported that the Syrian army found a workshop in Yabrud where bobby-trapped cars were made and sent to Lebanon. A car was found in the workshop with Lebanese license plates and containing 200 kilos, or 440 pounds, of explosives. The car was supposed to be detonated by a suicide bomber (Al-Manar, March 18, 2014). The Lebanese TV station MTV reported that the Syrian army had found five car bombs in the workshop. In addition, the Syrian army is also operating in the region of Ras al-Eyn (southwest of Yabrud), where another workshop for making booby-trapped cars sent to Lebanon was found (Al-Manar, March 19, 2014).
A Syrian officer tells an Al-Manar correspondent about a booby-trapped car found in Yabrud in a workshop for car bombs (Al-Manar, March 18, 2014).
An Al-Manar correspondent reports from the workshop in Yabrud where the car bombs were made (Al-Manar, March 18, 2014).
058-14 4
An Al-Mayadeen TV correspondent reports on the workshop for car bombs discovered in Yabrud, showing where in the car the explosives were hidden (Al-Mayadeen TV, Lebanon, March 18, 2014).
A workshop found in Ras al-Eyn where weapons were manufactured. The booby-trapped car bears Lebanese license plates (Al-Ayam, Iran, March 20, 2014).
The Significance for Hezbollah of the Takeover of Yabrud
5. The city of Yabrud and its environs were a main center for anti-Hezbollah attacks carried out by the organizations affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the global jihad, especially the Al-Nusra Front. Hezbollah repeatedly claimed that terrorist attacks were being planned in Yabrud, and that from there operatives infiltrated into Lebanon through the Sunni Syrian city of Arsal in the northern Beqa'a Valley. In fact, at the end of 2013, when the campaign for the Qalamoun region began, there was a wave of attacks against Hezbollah led by the Al-Nusra Front, some involving suicide bombers in car bombs. Most of the attacks centered on targets affiliated with Hezbollah and the
058-14 5
Shi'ites in Lebanon, especially in the southern suburb of Beirut where Hezbollah has its headquarters.1
6. For that reason, Hezbollah considers the takeover of Yabrud as an important security and morale-boosting achievement. After the takeover a Lebanese newspaper correspondent reported that the Hezbollah leadership and the residents of the Shi'ite suburb of southern Beirut were extremely satisfied, because they hoped the takeover of Yabrud would release them from the nightmare of car bombs blown up by suicide bombers (The Daily Star, March 19, 2014). The feeling was described by Lebanese commentator Ibrahim al-Amin, who is close to Hezbollah, and who has often reported its positions. He said that "What happened in Yabrud will reduce the pressure on Damascus and the Syrian regime. It will [also] limit the capabilities of those who sponsor the suicide bombers who come to Lebanon. Slowly but surely it will lock Lebanon's gates..." However, he said realistically, that "What happened yesterday [the takeover of Yabrud] will not slam the door on the confrontation and it will not permanently prevent suicide bombers from reaching their civilian targets in Lebanon..." (Al-Akhbar, March 17, 2014).
7. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah also spoke about the takeover of Yabrud and the campaign in the Qalamoun region in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al- Safir (April 7, 2014). He said:
1) Following the military action in Yabrud and the Al-Qalamoun region it could be said that the danger of attacks had been greatly reduced, because the Syrian forces exposed workshops for making car bombs, in both Yabrud and Ras al-Eyn. The security efforts of the Lebanese army and security forces also contributed [to reducing the danger]. "Generally speaking we can say the danger has been sharply reduced but we cannot say that it has completely disappeared. A great effort is required, both along the Syrian [-Lebanese] border and inside Lebanon."
2) Hassan Nasrallah denied the Lebanese media reports of a "strangulation" of the southern suburb resulting from the security measures taken, and that it had led local residents to flee to other areas of Lebanon. He claimed that the attacks
1 For further information see the February 11, 2014 bulletin "Using suicide bombers as weapons: The leading modus operandi in the Al-Nusra Front and Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria's struggle against the Syrian regime in Lebanon."
058-14 6
in the southern suburb had in fact increased support for Hezbollah's military involvement in Syria, based on public opinion polls, information and the results of research in his possession. Nasrallah claimed that the feeling of the general Lebanese public, not only of the Shi'ites, was that Hezbollah's involvement in Syria protected Lebanon from Syrian-based terrorist groups. Moreover, he said, the Lebanese public even felt that Hezbollah's military intervention in Syria should have come sooner.
3) As in the past, Nasrallah denied reports in the Arab media that Hezbollah had suffered many losses in the Qalamoun region [Hezbollah losses in Syria are a sensitive internal Lebanese issue]. Those reports, he claimed, were wishful thinking and not facts. For example, regarding the claim that Hezbollah had lost 500 operatives in Al-Qalamoun, he asked, "Is it possible to hide 500 shaheeds in a society like Lebanon's? Not even one could be hidden, to say nothing of 500."
8. From the Al-Safir interview it is clear that Hezbollah closely follows developments in Lebanese public opinion, both Shi'ite and non-Shi'ite, regarding sensitive and controversial issues such as Hezbollah's military involvement in Syria. To that end, according to Nasrallah, the organization is assisted by public opinion polls. He told Al-Safir that after the attacks in the southern suburb several people who could not decide where they stood on the issue of Hezbollah's involvement in Syria, and even some of those who opposed it, had changed their minds. Nasrallah added that the [results of the] public opinion polls were supported by clandestine contacts Hezbollah had with political forces and religious and sectarian leaders in Lebanon. He said, "Some of them cannot say in public what they say in private, fearing repercussions or negative consequences, or lest their relations with other countries in the region or embassies in Lebanon suffer."
Hezbollah Losses
9. In the takeover of Yabrud Hezbollah suffered far fewer losses than in the takeover of Al-Qusayr (June 2013). In our assessment the main reason was Hezbollah's main role in the campaign for Al-Qusayr and its secondary role as an auxiliary force supporting the Syrian army in the battle for Yabrud (also the reason why, in our assessment, less military force was used at Yabrud than at Al-Qusayr). Another reason was the fierce resistance put up by the rebel forces at Al-Qusayr as opposed to the
058-14 7 weak fighting in Yabrud, which made a swift takeover of the city possible (lasting only two days, March 15-16, 2014). In our assessment another reason was the military capability of the Hezbollah operatives, who accumulate considerable experience in urban warfare as the fighting in Syria continues, decreasing their losses.
10. Thus Hezbollah was able to rack up another achievement in its involvement in the civil war in Syria without suffering significant losses. According to an ITIC name count of Hezbollah operatives killed in Syria in March 2014, 28 operatives were killed, most of them in the campaign for Yabrud.2 In comparison, 120 Hezbollah operatives died in the campaign for Al-Qusayr, most of them (114) in the two weeks of fighting inside the city, until it was conquered (June 5, 2013).3
11. Hezbollah' death toll in the takeover of Yabrud and in the fighting in the Qalamoun region (which is still ongoing) raises the overall number of deaths of Hezbollah operatives during the Syrian civil war to 337. That is the number of names the ITIC has identified. There were several dozen additional deaths the ITIC did not identify or were not reported by Hezbollah in the media (for example, MIAs). Therefore, in our assessment the overall number of Hezbollah operatives who have died in Syria so far is about 360 (as of April 1, 2014).
Hezbollah props up Bashar Assad after the battle in Yabrud (Al-Watan, Qatar, March 20, 2014)
2 An examination of the names of the 28 Hezbollah operatives killed in March showed that most of them (16) were killed in the battle for Yabrud. Another was killed in the fighting in the region of Al-Qalamoun. It was reported that ten others were "killed carrying out their duty of jihad" or "killed in the fighting in Syria." It campaign be assumed that at least some of them were killed in the battle for Yabrud and/or battles in the Al-Qalamoun region. Only one death in March was explicitly reported as having occurred in the agricultural area around Damascus. 3 For further information see the June 27, 2013 bulletin "Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Syria – Update."
058-14 8
Appendix A Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Syria (As of April 1, 2014) Overview
1. The following table contains information about 65 Hezbollah operatives killed between December 15, 2013, and April 1, 2014. They were killed fighting in various battle zones in Syria, primarily in the battle for the takeover of Yabrud, in clearing pockets of rebels in the Qalamoun region and in the fighting in eastern environs of Damascus. In identifying the casualties, Lebanese media (especially the Shi'ite and Hezbollah websites) and when necessary, Syrian media affiliated with the opposition were used. Appendix B presents pictures of 58 Hezbollah losses and their funerals (of the 65).
2. Twenty-eight of the 65 Hezbollah operatives killed since December 15, 2013, were killed in March 2014. Most of them died in the final stage of the battle for Yabrud. Until December 15, 2013, the ITIC had identified the names of 272 Hezbollah operatives who had been killed, bringing the total number to 337 (to which can be added, in our assessment, several dozen whose identities could not be ascertained, as of April 1, 2014).
3. As in the past, most (27) of the Hezbollah operatives killed since December 15, 2013 came from south Lebanon. Prominent among those killed were operatives from the Beqa'a Valley (23), Two were from Beirut and one was from north Lebanon (the origins of several could not be ascertained).
4. Generally speaking, Hezbollah did not try to hide their deaths and they were given public funerals covered by the media. However, in many instances Hezbollah was deliberately vague about the circumstances of their deaths and issued a short statement according to which "They were killed while engaged in carrying out their duty of jihad." Hezbollah also does not report the overall number of its operatives killed in Syria, in our assessment to keep from worsening internal Lebanese criticism over its losses during the Syrian civil war.
058-14 9
Information About Hezbollah's Losses
Origin and Date of Name and Duty Place of death place of Source death funeral 1 Al-Chaaytieh Yasour Ayman Abd al- in south website and Hussein Killed in the Lebanon. Yaroun
Muslimani fighting in Syria. Buried on Facebook (Yasser) March 30, page, March 2014. 30, 2014.
2 Yahala Qaqaiyat al- website, Free Haidar Killed in the Al- Jisser, in Syrians' Muhammad Qalamoun south Revolution Sbeiti campaign. Lebanon website, March 30,
2014.
3 Al-Ghazia in Killed while south Bint Jbeil Hussein Ali engaged in Lebanon. website,
Maka carrying out his Buried on March 30, duty of jihad. March 30, 2014. 2014.
4 Buried in the "Martyrs' Garden" in Al-Ghubeiri in Jibchit Beirut on website, Al- Ali Mustafa al- Killed in the March 29, Muqawama, Qadour fighting in Syria. 2014. March 29, 2014.
058-14 10
5 Ali al-Nahari Al-Hadath in the Beqa'a News Rabi' Zuheir Killed in the Valley. website, Al- 27/3/2014 Jumaa fighting in Syria. Buried on Muqawama, March 29, March 27 and 2014. 29, 2014.
6 Khirbet Silim Al-Hadath in south Killed in the News Muhammad Hani Lebanon. 27/3/2014 environs of website, In-A- al-Tawil Buried on Damascus. Gist, March March 27, 27, 2014. 2014.
7 Al-Louiseh in Halasour and Killed while south Hussein Yasour engaged in Lebanon. Muhammad al- websites, carrying out his Buried on Sayid Hussein March 23 and duty of jihad. March 24, 24, 2014. 2014
8 Haidar Ali Aba in south Tarhini (brother Killed while Yasour Lebanon. of Abbas Ali engaged in website, Buried on Tarhini, also carrying out his March 18, March 18, killed in Syria) duty of jihad. 2014. 2014.
9 Nabi Chit in the Beqa'a Valley. Nabi Chit Killed while Buried on municipality Mazen Diab engaged in March 16, website, Al- Shaker (Sayid 15/3/2014 carrying out his 2014. Hadath News Nour) duty of jihad in website,
Syria. March 15 and
16, 2014.
058-14 11
10 Seriine al- Twitter, In-A- Fawqa in the Gist, Al- Killed in the Beqa'a Abbas Ali Hadath News 15/3/2014 battle for Valley. Shuman website, Yabrud. Buried on March 15 and March 16, 16, 2014. 2014.
11 Killed in the Tyre. Buried Al-Mustaqbal Ahmed Ali Dib 14/3/2014 battle for on March 16, TV, March 16, Nasser (Sharif) Yabrud. 2014. 2014.
12 Khabar Press website, Majdal Silim Majdal Silim Killed while in south Facebook Hassan Ali engaged in 16/3/2014 Lebanon. page, Wadi Khalil Yassin carrying out his Buried March Press duty of jihad. 17, 2014. website, March 16, 17 and 18, 2014.
13 Al-Manar website, Free Killed in the Chehour in Muhammad Syrian Army 13/3/2014 battle for south Salman Khalil forum, March Yabrud. Lebanon 11 and13, 2014.
14 Beqa'a Valley
Free Syrian Killed in the Radwan al-Atar Army forum, 11/3/2014 battle for Shath March 11, Yabrud. 2014.
058-14 12
15 Barich in Killed while south Yasour Muhammad engaged in Lebanon. website,
Habib Mazeh carrying out his Buried on March 9, duty of jihad. March 9, 2014. 2014.
16 Lebanese Nabatiyeh in forces south Ali Abd al- Killed in the website, Lebanon. Hassan Farhat 7/3/2014 battle for Nabatiyeh Buried on (Khomeini) Yabrud. website, March 8, March 7 and 2014. 8, 2014.
17 Ain Qana in Lebanese south Ibrahim Killed in the forces Lebanon. Mahmoud 7/3/2014 battle for website, Al- Buried on Abbas Yabrud. Ahed, March March 9, 7 and 9, 2014. 2014.
18 Twitter, In-A- Gist, Baalbek in Lebanese the Beqa'a Killed in the forces Abbas Ahmad Valley. 5/3/2014 battle for website, Farhat Buried on Yabrud. Jibchit March 7, website, 2014. March 5, 7 and 8, 2014.
19 Adchit in Lebanese south Muhammad Killed in the forces Lebanon. Hassan 7/3/2014 battle for website, Al- Buried on Shahrour Yabrud. Ahed, March March 8, 7 and 8, 2014. 2014.
058-14 13
20 Lebanese forces website, Sala' in south Yasour Amin Naim Killed in the Lebanon. website, Qassem (Zu al- 7/3/2014 battle for Buried on South Fiqar) Yabrud. March 7, Lebanon 2014. website, March 7 and 11, 2014.
21 Sir al- Lebanese Gharbia in forces Killed in the south website, Ali Ahmed 7/3/2014 battle for Lebanon. Yahala Qsibani Yabrud. Buried on website, March 8, March 7 and 2014. 8, 2014.
22 Al-Hadath Nabha in the News Beqa'a website, Al- Killed in the Muhammad Ali Valley. Ahed, Free 3/3/2014 battle for Amhaz Buried on Syrian Army Yabrud. March 4, forum, March 2014. 3, 4 and 11, 2014.
23 Majdelzoun in south
Killed while Lebanon. Al-Hashemi Muhammad engaged in Buried on website, Ramzi Hamzi carrying out his March 3. March 3, (Ruwad) duty of jihad in 2014. 2014. Syria.
058-14 14
24 Al-Nahar website, Al- Al-Hermel in Muhammad Killed in the Ahed, Free the northern Saleh al-Mismar 2/3/2014 battle for Syrian Army Beqa'a (Malak) Yabrud. forum, March Valley. 2, 3 and 11, 2014.
25 Janubiya website, Youkal Killed in the Baalbek in website, Free Anis Mahdi al- 2/3/2014 battle for the Beqa'a Syrian army Nimer Yabrud. Valley forum, March 2 and 11, 2014.
26 Jibchit Dweir in website, Al- south Adnan Hassan Killed in the Ahed, Free Lebanon. al-Haj (Abu 2/3/2014 battle for Syrian Army Buried on Zaharaa) Yabrud. forum, March March 3, 3, 4 and 2014. 11,2014.
27 Baalbek in the Beqa'a Valley. Buried on Al-Mustaqbal, March 3, Hussein Killed in the Free Syrian 2014. Muhammad 2/3/2014 battle for Army forum, Uthman Yabrud. March 3 and 11, 2014.
058-14 15
28 Al-Hadath News Killed in the Lubaya in the website, Free Hussein 2/3/2014 battle for Beqa'a Syrian Army Abdallah Yabrud. Valley. forum, March 2 and 11, 2014.
29 Free Syrian Killed in the Ahmed Kheir al- Army forum, 28/2/14 battle for Sidon Din March 11, Yabrud. 2014.
30 Bint Jbeil Houla in Ghassan website, Free south Ibrahim Hijazi Killed in the Syrian Army Lebanon. (Sheikh Kamil), 26/2/14 battle for forum, Buried on Hezbollah Yabrud. February 27 February 27, commander and March 11, 2014. 2014.
31 Al-Khader in the Beqa'a Valley. Buried on February 26,
2014. Muqawama Killed while website, Al- engaged in Ali Abd al-Niman Hadath News carrying out his Owda (Waed) website, duty of jihad in February 26, Syria. 2014.
058-14 16
32 Hassan Mansour (Abu Ali Meisam), Senior Hezbollah field commander. Houla Served as a Houla in website, military training south Bousla instructor in the Lebanon. website, Beqa'a Valley. Killed in the Buried in February 25 Played an 25/2/14 battle for Ansar with no and 28, 2014, important role in Yabrud. mention in Free Syrian the Second the Army forum, Lebanon War. Hezbollah March 11, Hezbollah media. 2014. claimed he was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike in Lebanon.
33 Buday in the Al-Ahed, Free Beqa'a Syrian Army Mahmoud Ali Killed in the Valley. forum, Assaf (Abu battle for Buried on February 25 Zeynab) Yabrud. February 25, and March 11, 2014. 2014.
34 Free Syrian Killed in the Ahmed Kamal Army forum, 22/2/14 battle for Shamlas March 11, Yabrud. 2014.
35 South Free Syrian Hussein Killed in the Lebanon Army forum, Mahmoud battle for March 11, Qassem Yabrud. 2014.
058-14 17
36 Wadi Press Al-Samaiya website, Free in South Mousa Killed in the Syrian Army Lebanon. Muhammad Tlim battle for forum, Buried on (Fajar) Yabrud. February 21 February 21, and March 11, 2014. 2014.
37 Nabi Chit in Nabi Chit Muhammad Killed defending the Beqa'a municipality Hassan Abbas the honor of the Valley. website, Al-
al-Musawi nation and the Buried on Ahed, (Muntazer) homeland. February 19, February 19 2014. and 24, 2014.
38 Janubiya website, Ah- Brital in the Ahed website, Beqa'a Killed in the Free Syrian Abbas Mustafa Valley. 19/2/14 battle for Army forum, Salhub Buried on Yabrud. February 19 February 22, and 22, and 2014. March 11, 2014.
39 Zautar al- Gharbia in south Lebanon. Halasour Buried on website, Free Qassem Abd al- Killed in the February 16, Syrian army Rawuf Alu battle for 2014. forum,
(Yasser) Yabrud. February 16 and March 11,
2014
058-14 18
40 Janubiya website, Al- Ahed, Free Muhammad Killed in the Ali al-Nahari Syrian Army Ahmed Turki al- 17/2/14 battle for in the Beqa'a forum, Awta Yabrud. Valley. February 17 and 19, and March 11, 2014.
41 Ah-Hadath News website, Al-Saksakia Yasour in south Muhammad Killed in the website, Free Lebanon. Yussuf Fawaz 17/2/14 battle for Syrian Army Buried on (Murtada) Yabrud. forum, February 18, February 18 2014. and 18, and March 11, 2014.
42 Al-Halousia Hussein Jaafar Killed while in south Nasrallah engaged in Lebanon.
(Jawad al- carrying out his Buried on Musawi) duty of jihad. February 13, 2014.
43 Nafiza Lubnan Maqraq in website, Muhammad the Beqa'a Qawem.ir 10/2/14 Killed in Syria. Mahdi al-Bazal Valley. website, February 10, 2014.
058-14 19
44 Nafiza Killed in the Aytaroun in Lubnan Muhammad 7/2/14 environs of south website, Ahmad Mawasi Damascus. Lebanon. February 10, 2014.
45 Nafiza Muhammad Brital in the Lubnan Qassem Ismail 6/2/14 Killed in Syria Beqa'a website, (Abu Saleh) Valley. February 10, 2014.
46 Akhbar Press, South Chahour in Lebanon Ghassan Ali south website, Free Killed in the Assaf (Gharib), Lebanon. Syrian Army 3/2/14 battle for Hezbollah Buried on forum, Yabrud. commander February 5, February 3 2014. and 5, and March 11, 2014.
47 Al-Ahed website, Free Syrian Army forum, January 20 and March 11, Al-Awzai' in Yussuf Hassan Killed in the 2014. Beirut. Buried Hafiz (Jawad al- battle for on January Gharib) Yabrud. 27, 2014.
058-14 20
48 Dir Sirian in Al-Ahed, Al- south Hadath News Lebanon. website, Free Buried on Muhammad Killed in the Syrian Army January 16, Mahdi Khalil battle for forum, 2014, in the Lubani Yabrud. January 16 "Martyrs' and 17, and Garden" in March 11, Al-Ghubeiri, 2014. in Beirut
49 Janubiya website, Al- Timnin al- Hadath News Fawqa in the website, Free Killed in the Beqa'a Hussein Ali Syrian Army 16/1/14 battle for Valley. Haidar Ahmed forum, Yabrud. Buried on January 16 January 14, and 27, and 2014. March 11, 2014.
50 Shabaa in south Lebanon. Buried in the "Martyrs' Al-Hadath Garden" in News Ali Muhammad Killed in the Al-Ghubeiri in website, In-A- Wahaba (Nour environs of Beirut on Gist, Al-Ahed, al-Zahraa) Damascus. January 17, January 17 2014. and 18, 2014.
058-14 21
51 Al-Ahed, In-A- Dar Ista in Gist, Free north Syrian Army Heitham Naim Killed in the Lebanon. forum, Haidar Ahmed 16/1/14 battle for Buried on January 17 (Adam) Yabrud. January 17, and 18, and 2014. March 11, 2014.
52 Qana in Killed while south Bint Jbeil Ali Ahmed engaged in Lebanon. website, Zarour (Abu carrying out his Buried on January 10 Turab) duty of jihad. January 10, 2014. 2014.
53 According to his family, he was killed defending South the grave of Al- Baalbek in Lebanon Set Zaynab. the Beqa'a Mustafa website, Al- According to the Valley. Muhammad al- 4/1/14 Ahed, website of the Buried on Kial YouTube, Free Syrian January 5, January 4, 5 Army, he was 2014. and 27. killed in the battle for Yabrud.
54 Yasour Maroub in website, Killed in Syria South Lebanon Zu al-Fiqar fighting Lebanon. website, Hassan Hars 3/1/14 alongside Assad Buried on January 4, 5 (Amar) regime soldiers. January 4, and 24, 2014. 2014.
058-14 22
55 Bint Jbeil Yatar in website, Free south Killed in the Syrian Army Ali Mousa Lebanon. battle for forum, Korani (Muhsen) Buried on Yabrud. January 1 and January 1, March 11, 2014. 2014.
56 Killed in the Baalbek in campaign for Al- the Beqa'a Qusayr. Brought Khabar Press Valley. Hussein Salah for burial by website, Buried in Habib Hezbollah after January 1, Beirut on he had been 2014. January 1, MIA for nine 2014. months.
57 Al-Hadath Taria in the News Ali Sliman Killed in the Beqa'a website, Shadad fighting in Syria. Valley. December 31, 2013.
58 Al-Ahed Aynata in website, south South Khalil Ali Khalil Killed in the Lebanon. Lebanon Ibrahim (Al- 31/12/13 fighting in Syria. Buried on website, Sayid Hamze) December Mutaadad.net, 29, 2013. December 29, 2013.
59 Qarha in the Killed defending Beqa'a Al-Muqawama Ali Hussein al- the honor of the Valley. website,
Musawi nation and the Buried on December 29, homeland. December 2013. 29, 2013
058-14 23
60 Naqoura in Naqoura Killed while south municipality Hussein Raif engaged in Lebanon. website, Wadi 27/12/13 Maliji carrying out his Buried on Press, duty of jihad. December December 27 28, 2013. and 29, 2013.
61 Beit Leif in south South Lebanon. Killed while Lebanon Wahid Ahmed Buried in the engaged in website, Al- al-Arab (Samer 27/12/13 Martyrs' carrying out his Ahed, Najem) Garden in duty of jihad. December 27, Beirut on 2013. December 27, 2013.
62 Al-Ghazia in South Killed while south Lebanon Hussein Mousa engaged in Lebanon. website, Al- Barakat (Abu 261/12/13 carrying out his Buried on Ahed, Hamza) duty of jihad. December December 26 27, 2013. and 27, 2013.
63 South Nahla in the Ali Dargham Lebanon Beqa'a Fares (Abu Killed in the website, Valley. Alaa), senior 22/12/13 environs of Emailat Buried on Hezbollah Damascus. website, December commander December 22, 23, 2013. 2013.
64 South Killed while Lebanon Buried on Khader Ahmed engaged in website, Al- 20/12/13 December Matar (Thaeir) carrying out his Ahed website, 20, 2013. duty of jihad. December 20, 2013.
058-14 24
65 South Majdal Silim Lebanon Hussein Abd al- in south website, Bint Karim Yassin Killed in the Lebanon. Jbeil website, (Rawuf), Senior 15/12/13 campaign for Buried on Beirut Hezbollah Yabrud. December Observer, commander 17, 2013. December 15 and 17, 2013.
058-14 25
Appendix B
Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Syria and Their Funerals
The funeral held in Al-Chaaytieh for Ayman Abd al-Hussein Muslimani (Yasser), killed in the fighting in Syria (Yasour website and Yaroun Facebook page, March 30, 2014)
Haidar Muhammad Sbeiti, killed in the Al-Qalamoun campaign (Yahala website, Free Syrians' Revolution website, March 30, 2014)
058-14 26
The funeral held in Al-Ghazia for Hussein Ali Maka, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Bint Jbeil website, March 30, 2014)
The funeral held in Beirut for Ali Mustafa al-Qadour, killed in the fighting in Syria (Al-Muqawama website, March 29, 2014)
058-14 27
The funeral held in Ali al-Nahari for Rabi' Zuheir Jumaa, killed in the fighting in Syria (Al-Hadath News website, Al-Muqawama, March 27 and 29, 2014).
Muhammad Hani al-Tawil from Khirbet Silim, killed in the environs of Damascus (Al-Hadath News website, March 27, 2014).
058-14 28
The funeral held in Al-Louiseh for Hussein Muhammad al-Sayid Hussein, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad
The funeral held in Aba for Haidar Ali Tarhini, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Yasour website, March 18, 2014)
058-14 29
The funeral held in Nabi Chit for Mazen Diab Shaker (Sayid Nour), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad in Syria (Nabi Chit municipality website, Al-Hadath News website, March 15 and 16, 2014)
The funeral held in Seriine al-Fawqa for Abbas Ali Shuman, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Twitter, In-A-Gist, Al-Hadath News website, March 15 and 16, 2014)
058-14 30
The funeral held in Majdal Silim for Hassan Ali Khalil Yassin, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Khabar Press website, Majdal Silim Facebook page, Wadi Press website, March 16, 17 and 18, 2014
The funeral held in Tyre for Ahmed Ali Dib Nasser (Sharif), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Yasour website, March 16, 2014).
058-14 31
Muhammad Salman Khalil from Chehour, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Manar website, Free Syrian Army forum, March 13, 2014)
The funeral held in Barich for Muhammad Habib Mazeh (Muhammad Habib), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Yasour website and Sour Sawa website, March 9, 2014)
058-14 32
The funeral held in Nabatiyeh for Ali Abd al-Hassan Farhat (Khomeini), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Nabatiyeh website, March 7 and 8, 2014)
The funeral held in Ain Qana for Ibrahim Mahmoud Abbas, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Al-Ahed, March 7 and 9, 2014)
058-14 33
The funeral held in Adchit for Muhammad Hassan Shahrour, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Al-Ahed, March 7 and 8, 2014)
The funeral held in Baalbek for Abbas Ahmad Farhat, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Jibchit website, March 5, 7 and 8, 2014)
058-14 34
The funeral held in Sala' for Amin Naim Qassem (Zu al-Fiqar), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Yasour website, South Lebanon website, March 7 and 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Sir al-Gharbia for Ali Ahmed Qsibani, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Lebanese forces website, Yahala website, March 7 and 8, 2014)
058-14 35
The funeral held in Nabha for Muhammad Ali Amhaz, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Hadath News website, Al-Ahed, Free Syrian Army forum, March 3, 4 and 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Majdelzoun for Muhammad Ramzi Hamzi (Ruwad), killed in the battle for Yabrud, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad in Syria (Yasour website, March 9, 2014).
058-14 36
The funeral held in Al-Hermel in the northern Beqa'a Valley for Muhammad Saleh al-Mismar (Malak), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Nahar website, Al-Ahed, Free Syrian Army forum, March 2, 3 and 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Dweir for Adnan Hassan al-Haj (Abu Zaharaa), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Jibchit website, Al-Ahed, Free Syrian Army forum, March 3, 4 and 11,2014)
058-14 37
The funeral held in Baalbek for Hussein Muhammad Uthman, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al- Hadath News website, YouTube Al-Mustaqbal, Free Syrian Army forum, March 3 and 11, 2014)
. Hussein Abdallah, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Hadath News website, Free Syrian Army forum, March 2 and 11, 2014)
058-14 38
The funeral held in Houla for Ghassan Ibrahim Hijazi (Sheikh Kamil), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Bint Jbeil website, Free Syrian Army forum, February 27 and March 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Al-Khader for Ali Abd al-Niman Owda (Waed), Killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad in Syria (Muqawama website, Al-Hadath News website, February 26, 2014)
058-14 39
The funeral held in Buday for Mahmoud Ali Assaf (Abu Zeynab), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al- Ahed, Free Syrian Army forum, February 25 and March 11, 2014)
Hassan Mansour (Abu Ali Meisam) from Houla, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Houla website, Bousla website, February 25 and 28, 2014, Free Syrian Army forum, March 11, 2014)
058-14 40
The funeral held in Nabi Chit for Muhammad Hassan Abbas al-Musawi (Muntazer), killed defending the honor of the nation and the homeland (Nabi Chit municipality website, Al-Ahed, February 19 and 24, 2014)
The funeral held in Brital for Abbas Mustafa Salhub, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Janubiya website, Ah-Ahed website, February 19 and 22, 2014)
058-14 41
The funeral held in Zautar al-Gharbia for Qassem Abd al-Rawuf Alu (Yasser), killed in the battle for Yabrud (YouTube, Halasour website, Free Syrian Army forum February 16 and 18, and March 11, 2014).
The funeral held in Ali al-Nahari for Muhammad Ahmed Turki al-Awta, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Janubiya website, Al-Ahed, Free Syrian Army forum, February 17 and 19, and March 11, 2014)
058-14 42
The funeral held in Al-Halousia for Hussein Jaafar Nasrallah (Jawad al-Musawi), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Bint Jbeil website, February 13. 2014).
The funeral held in Al-Saksakia for Muhammad Yussuf Fawaz (Murtada), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Ah-Hadath News website, Yasour website, Free Syrian Army forum, February 18 and 18, and March 11, 2014)
058-14 43
Muhammad Mahdi al-Bazal from Maqraq, killed in Syria (Nafiza Lubnan website, Qawem.ir website, February 10, 2014)
Muhammad Ahmad Mawasi from Aytaroun, killed in the environs of Damascus (Nafiza Lubnan website, February 10, 2014)
058-14 44
Muhammad Qassem Ismail (Abu Saleh) from Brital, killed in Syria (Nafiza Lubnan website, February 10, 2014)
The funeral held in Chahour for Ghassan Ali Assaf (Gharib), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Akhbar Press, South Lebanon website, Free Syrian Army forum, February 3 and 5, and March 11, 2014)
058-14 45
. The funeral held in Al-Ghubeiri for Muhammad Mahdi Khalil Lubani, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Ahed, Al-Hadath News website, Free Syrian Army forum, January 16 and 17, and March 11, 2014)
The funeral held for Yussuf Hassan Hafiz (Jawad al-Gharib), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Ahed website, Free Syrian Army forum, January 20 and March 11, 2014)
058-14 46
Hussein Ali Haidar Ahmed from Timnin al-Fawqa, killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Hadath News website, January 16 and 27, and March 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Al-Ghubeiri for Ali Muhammad Wahaba (Nour al-Zahraa), killed in the environs of Damascus (Al-Hadath News website, In-A-Gist, Al-Ahed, January 17 and 18, 2014)
058-14 47
The funeral held in Dar Ista for Heitham Naim Haidar Ahmed (Adam), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Al-Ahed, In-A-Gist, Free Syrian Army forum, January 17 and 18, and March 11, 2014)
The funeral held in Qana for Ali Ahmed Zarour (Abu Turab), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Bint Jbeil website, January 10 2014)
058-14 48
The funeral held in Maroub for Zu al-Fiqar Hassan Hars (Amar), killed in Syria fighting alongside Assad regime soldiers (Yasour website, Lebanon website, January 4, 5 and 24, 2014)
The funeral held for Mustafa Muhammad al-Kial (Al-Ahed, YouTube, January 5 and 27)
058-14 49
The funeral held in Yatar for Ali Mousa Korani (Muhsen), killed in the battle for Yabrud (Bint Jbeil website, Free Syrian Army forum, January 11 and March 11, 2014)
Hussein Salah Habib from Baalbek, killed nine months previously in the campaign for Al-Qaeda and brought for burial by Hezbollah (Khabar Press website, January 1, 2014)
058-14 50
The funeral held in Taria for Ali Sliman Shadad, killed in the fighting in Syria (Al-Hadath News website, December 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014).
The funeral held in Aynata for Khalil Ali Khalil Ibrahim (Al-Sayid Hamze), killed in the fighting in Syria (Al-Ahed website, South Lebanon website, Mutaadah.net, December 29, 2013)
058-14 51
The funeral held in Beirut for Wahid Ahmed al-Arab (Samer Najem), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (South Lebanon website, Al-Ahed, December 27, 2013)
The funeral held in Naqoura for Hussein Raif Maliji, killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Naqoura municipality website, Wadi Press, December 27 and 29, 2013)
058-14 52
The funeral held in Al-Ghazia for Hussein Mousa Barakat (Abu Hamza), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (Al-Ahed, December 27, 2013)
Ali Dargham Fares (Abu Alaa) from Nahla, killed in the environs of Damascus (South Lebanon website, Emailat website, December 22, 2013)
058-14 53
The funeral held in Al-Ouzai, Beirut for Khader Ahmed Matar (Thaeir), killed while engaged in carrying out his duty of jihad (South Lebanon website, Al-Ahed website, December 20, 2013)
The funeral held in Majdal Silim for Hussein Abd al-Karim Yassin (Rawuf), killed in the campaign for Yabrud (Bint Jbeil website, Beirut Observer, December 17, 2013)
058-14