Hezbollah currently has no intentions to send fighters to northern Syria, according to reports

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has no plans at present to deploy fighters to northern Syria in support of the Syrian army, according to three sources familiar with the group’s perspective, as reported by Reuters on Monday.

Last week, a coalition of rebel forces launched an unexpected offensive in northern Syria, rapidly advancing through government-controlled areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, which resulted in the expulsion of government troops from Aleppo city—marking a significant defeat for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in recent years.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Monday that Syria’s military possesses the capability to counter the rebels, but emphasized that “resistance groups will assist, and Iran will provide any necessary support,” referring to the militia groups backed by Tehran.

The sources indicated to Reuters that Hezbollah has not been requested to intervene and is currently unprepared to send forces to Syria, especially after enduring over a year of conflict with the Israeli military, including two months of intense ground combat in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has not yet responded to a request for comment. A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that Iran is closely observing the situation and is prepared to support the Syrian government as needed, but there are no immediate plans to offer military assistance or to deploy personnel on the ground.

“In discussions with Syrian officials, there has been no request for the deployment of Iranian military personnel,” the official stated.

A regional official with ties to Tehran commented on Hezbollah, stating, “Tehran maintains communication with Hezbollah, and there has not been any request from the Syrian government to date.”

Reports indicate that approximately 4,000 Hezbollah fighters may have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes in Lebanon since October 2023, according to an insider familiar with the group’s activities.

Israeli airstrikes have increasingly focused on Hezbollah fighters in Syria, where the group has been involved in supporting Assad’s forces in reclaiming territory since 2013, alongside its allies Iran and Russia.

One source revealed that the group had relocated senior officers responsible for operations in Aleppo from northern Syria to engage in ground combat against Israel.

Additionally, two other sources, one from Lebanon and the other from Syria, noted that Hezbollah began withdrawing forces from Syria in mid-October as hostilities with Israel escalated along the border.