The New Arab
[ISW] Middle East analyst Kelly Campa, told The New Arab that Iran’s targeting of al-Tanf may have been linked to what she described as Tehran’s “western flank” – Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Iran is likely, in part, sending a message with their attacks on al-Tanf that they won’t tolerate any Syrian participation in operations against Hezbollah,” Campa said.
“The Syrian government does not appear to be considering any such operation, but Syrian forces interdicted a pretty large cache of drones, missiles, and weapons components near al-Tanf the day before Iran’s attack there,” she said. “Attacks in Syria could be one way through which the regime attempts to deter the Syrian government from taking any meaningful action against Hezbollah.”
She added that Hezbollah remains in a particularly vulnerable position despite continued Iranian support.
“Israel and Lebanon are collaborating – with US help – to implement some pilot zones that could, if all goes well, be a model for Hezbollah’s complete disarmament.”
