In an interview with the Iranian state-run Hammihan newspaper on March 11, Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad acknowledged that the political transformation in Syria has been a major strategic setback for the group. “We cannot deny it,” Fayyad said, referring to the fall of the Assad regime and its impact on Hezbollah’s position in the region.
Fayyad highlighted the new challenges Hezbollah faces following Assad’s removal, pointing out that the new leadership in Damascus is now linked to groups that Hezbollah previously fought against. He described this change as a serious complication for Hezbollah’s operations.
The Hezbollah MP also acknowledged the loss of critical logistical routes for weapons supply, emphasizing that the group must now adapt to a different regional landscape. According to Fayyad, the organization is closely watching the new Syrian leadership’s position on Israel, raising concerns that Hezbollah may not be able to count on Syria as a strategic ally in the future.
Discussing Hezbollah’s internal structure, Fayyad claimed that the group is shifting from a leader-driven model under Hassan Nasrallah to a more institutionalized structure under Sheikh Naim Qassem. He explained that the group is abandoning Hezbollah’s previous reliance on charismatic leadership.
On military operations, Fayyad insisted that Lebanon’s government should take charge of handling security matters. He dismissed the idea of Hezbollah’s military forces integrating into state institutions in the immediate future but tried to argue that the group’s approach will be influenced by how Lebanon develops its own defense capabilities.
Fayyad acknowledged a shift in Hezbollah’s relationship with the Lebanese state, stating: “We consider this phase—the implementation of UN Resolution 1701—to be the government’s responsibility, and we are closely monitoring the situation.”
His remarks reveal Hezbollah’s cautious recalibration amid diminishing military strength and the broader weakening of the Iranian regime’s regional influence. Fayyad openly admitted the toll of the Syrian war on Hezbollah, stating: “There is no doubt that the political transformation in Syria was a major strategic blow for us. We cannot deny this.” With the fall of Assad and the loss of a critical supply route, Hezbollah is carefully testing the waters, signaling a willingness to defer to Lebanon’s government rather than immediately resort to military action.
Fayyad’s statements underscore Hezbollah’s strategic uncertainty as it navigates a changing regional landscape, where Tehran’s influence is increasingly challenged, and the group’s operational capacity has been significantly reduced.