Born in Lebanon in 1968, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, also known as Abu Ali, is believed to be of an Iranian father and a Lebanese mother. He reportedly grew up in southern Lebanon and joined Hezbollah at a young age.
A former commander of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite unit, Tabatabai operated in both Syria and Yemen, where he provided equipment, personnel, and training to the Syrian government and to the Houthis during the civil war.
On October 26, 2016, he was added to the U.S. wanted list, with Washington offering a reward of $5 million for any information leading to his arrest.
After 2024, he is said by various sources to have played a key role in reorganizing the offensive capabilities of the Radwan Force.
Following the assassination of several senior Hezbollah leaders, including Fouad Shukr, Tabatabai is believed to have become the movement’s de facto chief of staff. He is now regarded by several sources, including Israeli intelligence, as Hezbollah’s number two, after Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem.
Comments