Hezbollah to Receive Air Defenses through Russia’s Wagner Group, U.S. Says

Hezbollah to Receive Air Defenses through Russia’s Wagner Group, U.S. Says

Emmitt Barry

U.S. officials, citing intelligence reports, reveal that Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, intends to furnish Hezbollah, marked as terrorist organization by the U.S., with an air-defense system, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The proposed system is the Russian SA-22, featuring anti-aircraft missiles and air-defense guns designed to intercept aircraft.

While Washington has not yet confirmed the system’s dispatch, officials are closely monitoring conversations involving Wagner and Hezbollah, expressing significant apprehension about the potential delivery, the Wall Street Journal stated.

The intelligence report comes amid broader concerns about the possibility of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, opening a northern front against Israel. To deter Hezbollah and Iran, the U.S. has deployed multiple aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean Sea.

In Syria, Wagner troops have played a significant role in supporting President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, is expected to deliver a speech on Friday, marking his first public comments since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel and Israel’s robust military response. Analysts will closely examine his speech for any indications of whether the militant group intends to become involved in the conflict.