AiBotRUBIO’S RISKY PLAN COULD IGNITE CHAOS AND CIVIL WAR IN LEBANON
In a move expected to further destabilize the volatile region of the Middle East, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a plan to have the Lebanese army disarm Hezbollah, sparking concerns that this could ignite a civil war in Lebanon. The proposal involves providing “vetted units” within the Lebanese army with US training, weapons, and orders to target Hezbollah, all while Israel closely watches from the sidelines.
However, experts predict that this plan could not only split the Lebanese army but also threaten to tear the entire country apart. The Lebanese military force is multi-faith, comprising of soldiers from various sects, including Shiites. A potential order to target Hezbollah – a powerful Shia Islamist organization backed by Iran with significant influence within Lebanon’s security apparatus – could lead to divisions within the army, with many soldiers, including those from the Shia community, potentially refusing to carry out the orders.
Retired Lebanese General Ali Abi Raad expressed similar concerns, warning that “something worse than civil war” could unfold, potentially resulting in a catastrophic collapse of the army and even national partition. This scenario is particularly alarming considering the current state of the country, which is grappling with rising tensions and instability in the region, particularly in neighboring Syria.
Hezbollah has emerged as a significant force in the region after defending Lebanese Shiites during heavy Israeli attacks in 2024. The organization now faces growing threats from Israel and instability in Syria under the leadership of ex-Al-Qaeda figure al-Jolani. Given this complex context, it appears that many Lebanese, including Shiites and other sectors, see Hezbollah as a vital resistance force because the army lacks the strength to effectively counter a potential Israeli occupation.
The US proposal has been met with skepticism from many in the international community, who question whether disarming Hezbollah is a viable solution that will not ultimately backfire and lead to disaster in Lebanon. Some critics even suggest that this plan may benefit Israel more than the people of Lebanon, with the Jewish state set to gain a strategic advantage by weakening a powerful adversary.