Under Jolani's rule

Syria’s New Government Just Declared War on Hezbollah

A senior Syrian security official warns that the "account remains open" with Hezbollah as Syria moves to dismantle the group's infrastructure. Syria is also actively blocking any renewed Hezbollah foothold on its soil.

Jfeed Staff

FEB 16, 2026 08:47

2 min read

In a stunning reversal of a decade-long alliance, the new Syrian administration has signaled a definitive break with Hezbollah. Senior Syrian security officials have reportedly informed regional mediators that the "account remains open" regarding Hezbollah’s conduct during the final years of the Assad era, accusing the Lebanese group of prioritizing Iranian interests over Syrian sovereignty.

Syrian security forces have launched a nationwide operation to dismantle Hezbollah’s remaining military and intelligence networks. This includes the seizure of "sleeper cell" apartments and weapons caches left behind during the group's hasty withdrawal in late 2024.

Tensions reached a breaking point this month after Syria officially accused Hezbollah of launching rockets into the upscale Al Mazzeh district of Damascus. Syrian investigators claim the strike was a "message of intimidation" from the group, which Hezbollah denies.

Syrian intelligence sources allege that as the Assad regime collapsed, Hezbollah units seized high-end strategic weaponry, including advanced anti-ship missiles and drone components, from the Al Qusayr military hub and moved them into Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley without authorization.

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Officials in Beirut are reportedly "deeply concerned" that Syria’s new leadership is waiting for a wider U.S.-Iran escalation to serve as a distraction. The fear is that Damascus will use such a window to launch a decisive conventional military operation against Hezbollah’s remaining border strongholds to permanently sever the "land bridge" to Tehran.

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