The “leak” by top Hezbollah commanders to the Daily Beast about the advanced types of weapons allegedly provided to their organization by Moscow was no mistake. Israel denied that such weapons were ever transferred to the pro-Iranian terrorist group while the Russians never confirmed this information – but for Hezbollah, spreading such information is a win-win situation.

The “leak” was meant to resonate in at least four countries – Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Iran. Hezbollah is engaged in continuous warfare on Syrian soil against anti-regime forces and recently experienced several setbacks. “Leaking” a detailed list of advanced Russian-made weapons allegedly given to Hezbollah was supposed to impress the group’s enemies in Syria and in Lebanon – radical Salafi groups such as ISIS and Jabhat an-Nusra, and the main opposition force – the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Having your enemy believe that you have a mighty supporter watching your back and supplying you with strategic weapons is important; the Russians have already proven that they can act quickly to achieve results on the ground and help their allies in their hour of need. Those fighting Hezbollah on the Qalamoun mountains and threatening its base of power in Beirut or in southern Lebanon will now take this into consideration.

As for Israel, Hezbollah might want to put an end to the positive dynamics of cooperation between Moscow and Jerusalem regarding Syria. The alleged Israeli assassination of Hezbollah commander Samir Quntar in a Damascus suburb last month occurred despite the Russian presence in Syria, generating anti-Russian sentiments and even rage within the ranks of the organization.

Read the article in full at i24 News.