By Nohad Topalian | 2025-06-22

BEIRUT -- A new wave of opposition to Hizbullah is emerging across Lebanon as the country enters what analysts are calling a transformative political era.

The shift became starkly visible in May with an unprecedented display of anti-Hizbullah banners in the party's southern stronghold and President Joseph Aoun's removal of Iranian and Hizbullah symbols from public spaces.

Banners reading "We don't want anyone from Hizbullah to come over here" appeared on the streets of Tyre, a city long considered part of the dual stronghold shared by the Iran-backed Hizbullah and Amal Movement.

The bold public display coincided with Aoun's efforts to restore state authority through a campaign to improve the appearance of Lebanese cities.

This began with the removal of posters depicting Iranian and Hizbullah figures from the airport road, downtown Beirut, southern roads, and the Bekaa Valley.

"This is an expression of growing discontent within Hizbullah's base and it is taking on many forms," Liberation for Lebanon movement coordinator Ali Khalifa told Al-Fassel, noting that it "shows the Shia mood is changing."

Hizbullah opponents believe this changing sentiment, even within the party's inner circle, will limit its ability to exercise authority over its traditional base.

Khalifa cautioned that such opposition doesn't always surface publicly, however, because despite Hizbullah's diminished capabilities, it retains enough weapons and support to intimidate internal opponents.

Mounting resistance

Lebanon is "witnessing the beginning of the end of Hizbullah's influence," Khalifa said, adding that continued opposition to the party "should yield gradual results to transform the political landscape."

In the south, a new awareness is taking hold among residents whose villages, towns and cities were damaged and whose youth were killed as a result of Hizbullah's war, said Southerners for Freedom coordinator Hussein Ataya.

People are starting to speak out about the destruction they have suffered in the south, including the loss of their homes and livelihoods, he told Al-Fassel.

"Many are still displaced, struggling with deep poverty and hardship," he said.

This emerging opposition faces the challenge of transforming political representation, with civil society playing a fundamental role in highlighting alternative viewpoints to Hizbullah's project.

Khalifa emphasized that changing the political landscape "begins with making breakthroughs in proper Shia representation in parliament" and looked to the upcoming parliamentary elections to produce such breakthroughs.

While praising Aoun's initial steps to remove partisan symbols from public spaces, opposition figures expressed hope that the government would continue efforts toward Hizbullah's disarmament.

"We look forward to a resolution on the issue of Hizbullah's disarmament, provided that the government sets a timetable for this disarmament, so that the state can resume its role of defending Lebanon and ensuring security," he said.