Hezbollah played a major military role in the Syrian Civil War after entering the conflict in 2012 to support then-President Bashar al‑Assad.
By Hezy Laing
As of early 2026, there is a security assessment and media reports that various elements in Syria are waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on Hezbollah for its deep involvement in the civil war and its role in killing Syrian civilians.
Col. Jacques Neriah points to an unusual movement of four Syrian divisions that were conducted against the Lebanese border, a move that has not been seen for years.
“The Syrians are waiting for a signal to enter Lebanon,” he says.
According to him, relations between Syria and Hezbollah are currently one of complete hostility.
The surprising factor in the story is the Christian camp in Lebanon, which, according to reports, is appealing to the Syrians to intervene in their favor against Hezbollah.
Neria agrees that the Syrians are driven by a strong desire to take revenge on Hezbollah for its role in the massacre of civilians during the Syrian civil war.
In the complicated Lebanese reality, Syrian revenge on Hezbollah may be only a matter of time, which could reshuffle the cards in the entire region.
Senior security sources indicate that the IDF is preparing for the possibility that the Syrians will exploit the situation and act against Hezbollah to settle scores.
Hezbollah played a major military role in the Syrian civil war after entering the conflict in 2012 to support President Bashar al‑Assad.
Backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah deployed thousands of fighters to key fronts such as Qusayr, Aleppo, and the Damascus suburbs.
Their forces helped the Syrian government recapture strategic territory, secure supply lines from Lebanon, and train pro‑regime militias.
Analysts note that Hezbollah’s intervention significantly strengthened Assad at moments when his government was at risk of collapse.
Many Syrians, especially in opposition‑held areas, came to resent Hezbollah for several reasons.
The group was viewed as a foreign militia intervening on behalf of an authoritarian regime, contributing to mass displacement and suffering.
Its involvement deepened sectarian tensions, as Hezbollah framed its mission in part as protecting Shi’a shrines.
Additionally, Syrians who opposed Assad saw Hezbollah as prolonging the war and enabling state repression, leading to widespread hostility toward the organization.
