The main areas controlled by the Hezbollah-Amal “Shiite duo” in the southern suburbs of Beirut, particularly in Chyah, as well as in South Lebanon, namely in the town of Tyre, have recently witnessed an alarming increase in armed clashes and security incidents.
The two Shiite factions provided different explanations for the underlying causes of these incidents. While some Shiite sources attempted to downplay their significance and solely attributed them to tensions related to the commemoration of Ashura, without any political implications, non-partisan Shiite sources opined that the armed clashes stem from the deepening political rift between Amal and Hezbollah.
The pro-Iranian party holds some Amal partisans responsible for the armed incidents, implying that they are acting independently and uncontrollably. Hezbollah has reportedly asked Speaker Nabih Berri, the Amal movement leader, to calm down his supporters amid efforts to involve state security forces in restoring order and stability in the areas affected by the incidents.
However, independent Shiite sources present a different account of the situation. They assert that recurring armed clashes involve criminal leaders in neighborhoods controlled by the two groups. The tense situation has been compounded by the rise of large-scale drug trafficking networks and other lucrative illegal activities. The shady activities are a direct consequence of the rapid deterioration of the socio-economic and financial conditions, which have had a significant impact on the grassroots and marginalized communities within which Hezbollah and Amal operate, the sources added.
Furthermore, the crisis has deepened the economic disparity between supporters of the two factions. Many members of the pro-Iranian party benefit from incomes in dollars whereas a significant number of Amal members are civil servants who have witnessed a sharp decline in their incomes due to the devaluation of the Lebanese pound. As a result, tensions between the two parties have escalated, leading to power struggles and an increase in security incidents in several predominantly Shiite regions.
