By Nohad Topalian | 2025-06-20

BEIRUT -- Lebanese authorities have dismantled a Hizbullah smuggling network at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport, dismissing dozens of employees suspected of belonging to the Tehran-aligned party.

The crackdown, which began in early May, is the government's most significant effort to curb Hizbullah's long-standing influence at the country's main airport.

Authorities strengthened security controls and installed modern surveillance systems that use artificial intelligence to identify operatives.

They blocked Iranian flights to Lebanon following reports that Tehran was using civilian aircraft to transport arms and funds to Hizbullah, and a 2024 report by the Telegraph that Hizbullah was storing Iranian-origin weapons at the airport.

The seizure, in February, of $2.5 million allegedly destined for Hizbullah from a passenger arriving from Türkiye, exemplifies the operation's early success.

"The situation at the airport has changed from the way it was during the era of Hizbullah's influence, as the army and security forces took over the facility and now exercise control over it," economic writer Antoine Farah told Al-Fassel.

The most notable change is the unmasking of the smuggling operations orchestrated by Hizbullah "and other gangs," he said.

"This effort confirms that the airport is well controlled and monitored," he said. "But additional efforts are needed to clear it of any remnants of Hizbullah's influence."

Customs officials face ongoing challenges as Hizbullah continues smuggling attempts through remaining allies at the airport, requiring sustained vigilance to achieve "zero smuggling," Farah said.

The ban on Iranian flights has led to "a significant decline in smuggling operations through the airport," which had threatened the national economy through a "black economy" that evaded fees and taxes.

Security overhaul

The network's dismantling is "an important step that should be completed with the application of international standards that are in place at international airports," political analyst Asaad Bechara told Al-Fassel.

The international community demands comprehensive reforms to block all smuggling at what Bechara called "a sovereign facility."

While praising the Lebanese army and security services for putting a stop to Hizbullah's airport activities, Bechara emphasized the need to restructure the customs unit to prevent "manipulation."

The ban on Iranian flights addressed the Iranian regime's treatment of the airport "as its own," he added, with Tehran showing little concern about violating Lebanese law through smuggling operations outside Lebanese authority.

The reforms have had a positive impact on the Lebanese economy already, he noted, by reducing Hizbullah's smuggling of money, weapons and drugs, which threaten both national security and economic stability.

State control over the airport, port and land borders has resulted in increased government revenues and reduced the party's operational capacity, Farah said.