By Nohad Topalian | 2024-05-12

BEIRUT -- Public displays of force and the indiscriminate discharge of firearms by militias aligned with Hizbullah that are part of the so-called "axis of resistance" undermine state authority and endanger civilians, lawmakers said.

While Hizbullah has long drawn Lebanese ire as the most regular violator of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which prohibits all armed militias from operating anywhere in Lebanon, other militias have become emboldened.

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya's military wing, Quwat al-Fajr, turned an April 28 funeral procession for its fighters in the Akkar district town of Bebnine into a military parade, firing shots into the air and injuring four people, including a 10-year-old.

In March, Quwat al-Fajr fighters brandished their weapons in Beirut's Tarik al-Jadidah neighborhood during another funeral held for the group's fighters.

The Sunni armed group, which joined the largely Shia "axis" under the command of Hizbullah after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, has repeatedly claimed responsibility for firing missiles towards Israel.

Hizbullah has sought to obtain Sunni cover for its participation in the conflict.

Quwat al-Fajr "is part of the 'resistance axis' led by Hizbullah, which means that it operates in the interest of Hizbullah and the Iranian agenda," Lebanese MP Ashraf Rifi told Al-Fassel.

"We consider what happened in Bebnine as being committed by Hizbullah," he said, because "their weapons and those of Hizbullah are one and the same."

"What I saw in Bebnine reflects Hizbullah's decision to drag those within its orbit into engaging in actions that we do not want," he added.

"All we want is for the legitimate security forces to protect Lebanon's stability, and not Hizbullah's weapons that are tied to Iran's project."

Violation of sovereignty

Quwat al-Fajr's display of arms in Bebnine harmed Akkar and the Palestinian cause, said Lebanese MP Waddah al-Sadiq, who represents Beirut in parliament.

The group had previously appeared with its weapons in the streets of Beirut.

"This group operates under Hizbullah's wing," he told Al-Fassel, which means the militia and its weapons are tied to Hizbullah and Iran's project in Lebanon.

"We are against all these public displays of weapons that Hizbullah seeks to make a common sight in Lebanese regions under different pretexts," he said.

The appearance of Quwat al-Fajr forces with their illegal weapons endangers not only civilians but also the civil peace and national stability, he added.

"What happened is a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, and what is required of the state is to put an end to the uncontrolled weapons."