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Son of Hezbollah senior official Hashim Safi Al Din is the mastermind behind the transfer of strategic weapons from Iran to Lebanon, a spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed on May 20.
In a series of tweets, the spokesman, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, claimed that Safi Al Din’s son, Said Rida, had been transferring strategic weapons from Iran to Lebanon in coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and by using resources provided by Hezbollah’s Executive Council which is headed by his father.
Hashim Safi Al Din, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council as seen during an interview on al-Mayadeen TV. Click to see full-size photo.
Lt. Col. Adraee revealed that Said Rida is married to the daughter of IRGC Quds Force leader Qassiem Soliemani, who was assassinated by the US in Iraq more than two years ago. According to Adraee, Said Rida has been coordinating weapons shipments to Hezbollah during his routine visits to Iran, where his wife apparently lives.
Said Rida with his wife during their wedding as seen in a photo released by the IDF. Click to see full-size.
The spokesman went on to claim that the strategic weapons are being moved on civilian flights from Iran to Damascus International Airport in the Syrian capital, and from there to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The IDF will continue to monitor all attempts by Hezbollah to threaten the security of the State of Israel and will act as needed to protect the security and citizens of the country,” Lt. Col. Adraee said.
The IDF allegations are a direct threat to Hezbollah, the IRGC and more importantly to Syria. Israel has already carried out a series of attacks on Damascus International Airport to destroy alleged weapons shipment to Hezbollah. The last such attack was on April 27.
Hezbollah warned Israel on several occasions that any attack on its personnel in Syria will be met with a fierce response. Despite these threats, Israel assassinated a number of the group’s commanders and military specialists in the country. Tel Aviv may attempt to do this again by targeting Said Rida or one of his aids.
