Hezbollah leader denies reports linking the Iran-backed group to Syria's drug dealer
The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group has denounced as "baseless lies" reports that one of Syria’s most well-known drug dealers, who was killed earlier this week in an airstrike near the Jordanian border, was linked to the Iran-backed group. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's televised speech on Friday came four days after the rare strike that some Syrian opposition activists claimed was carried out by Jordan’s air force. The activists and a war monitor said the amphetamine Captagon kingpin killed Monday was among the most wanted by Jordanian authorities for drug smuggling across the border with the backing of a small militia. Syrian activists say Merhi al-Ramthan, who was killed with his wife and six children, worked closely with militias linked to Syrian President Bashar Assad and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Western governments estimate that Captagon has generated billions of dollars in revenue for Assad, his Syrian associates and allies. Damascus has denied the accusations. “Had we been making billions of dollars it would have been noticed,” Nasrallah joked about the charges. Speaking about linking al-Ramthan to Hezbollah, Nasrallah said “these are lies and unjust charges.” Nasrallah added that had it not been for Hezbollah’s help, the Lebanese state would not have been able to carry out raids against drug dealers in Lebanon. Hezbollah enjoys wide influence in northeast Lebanon, a region that for decades has been a center of drug production. Monday’s strike in southern Syria that killed al-Ramthan and another that destroyed a factory came a day after Arab governments reinstated Syria to the Arab League following the country’s suspension for its crackdown on protests that ultimately led to a lengthy civil war. As Arab governments gradually restore ties with Damascus, one of the key topics of discussion has been Syria’s illicit drug industry, which has flourished during the ongoing conflict — especially the illegal amphetamine Captagon. “These are baseless lies. For us Captagon and other types of drugs are religiously prohibited,” said Nasrallah, a Shiite Muslim cleric and major political figure in Lebanon. Speaking about reconciliation between Syria and oil-rich Arab countries, Nasrallah said anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon are “disconnected from reality” and are working to keep Beirut’s relations with Damascus cold. “It is in Lebanon’s interest to fix relations with Syria,” Nasrallah said, adding that the Lebanese government should send a high-ranking delegation to Damascus to discuss ways to address the refugee crisis that has pushed hundreds of thousands of Syrians to flee into in Lebanon. Sentiments against Syrian refugees have been rising in Lebanon since the country’s massive economic meltdown that started in 2019 that has left three quarters of the Lebanese population living in poverty. Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to battle alongside Syrian government forces during the 12-year war, helping tip the balance of power in Assad’s favor. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Inflation in Argentina leaves familes struggling to feed themselves Nissan reports surging profit amid strong sales, easing chip crunch Arab governments vote for Syria's return to the Arab League
2023-05-13 02:21
What's the Kennection? #67
All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
2023-06-18 13:51
A Cathedral in England Is Home to One of the World's Oldest Cat Doors
Exeter Cathedral in England has had cats on the payroll since the 14th century.
2023-10-07 22:17
Iran warns Israel to stop war in Gaza or region will 'go out of control'
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also criticised the US for providing military support.
2023-10-22 23:53
Who is Eliazar Quintero? Las Vegas man fired rifle into wall killing 9-year-old boy in neighboring apartment
Eliazar Quintero is facing second degree murder charges in the death of the 9-year-old boy and injury to his 10-year-old brother
2023-10-31 21:24
Dillon Gabriel's school-record 8 TDs lead Oklahoma past West Virginia, 59-20
Dillon Gabriel accounted for a school-record eight touchdowns to help No. 17 Oklahoma roll past West Virginia 59-20
2023-11-12 12:16
One of world's largest icebergs drifting beyond Antarctic waters after it was grounded for 3 decades
The British Antarctic Survey says that one of the world’s largest icebergs is drifting beyond Antarctic waters after being grounded for more than three decades
2023-11-26 01:26
Mind games and Dirty Tricks: How 'The Bachelor' manipulates and 'preys' on its contestants to make hit TV show
Producing the 'Bachelor' required certain steps to make participants weep in front of the camera
2023-08-24 14:00
Why were sirens not sounded during Maui wildfires? Emergency Management chief Herman Andaya defends decision during presser
Maui's Emergency Management head Herman Andaya noted loud sirens are generally used for tsunami warnings
2023-08-17 20:22
Traders Boost UK Rate-Cut Bets on Signs BOE Won’t Fight Market
Traders moved to price in further interest rate cuts by the Bank of England next year, after a
2023-11-08 00:27
How much did Michael Oher receive for 'The Blind Side'? Court filing shows ex-NFL star received substantial check in April
Michael Oher's adoptive parents file court documents, indicating that they paid over $138K to the NFL player as profits for 'The Blind Side' movie
2023-11-10 18:49
DeSantis sharpens critique of Trump but faces huge odds
It was not the kind of place you'd typically find Donald Trump -- and that was the point.
2023-08-01 12:29
You Might Like...
AI-generated naked child images shock Spanish town of Almendralejo
Rupert Murdoch steps down as Fox and News Corp. chairman, sending shockwaves through media and politics
'The View' host Sunny Hostin claims many White Republican women support Trump as 'patriarchy benefits them'
Xylazine Has Spread to Every Region of the Country, Millennium Health Signals Report™ Shows
Norton Blake: NYC subway thug who beat 60-year-old woman with her own cane rants about 'judgment day' during arrest
Did Elon Musk challenge MrBeast? YouTuber 'goes to bed' after discussing Twitter changes with CEO, fans ask 'when is this video coming'
Purported names, photos and addresses of Fulton County grand jurors circulate on far-right internet
'Nowhere to go': Ordinary Palestinians live in fear as Israel retaliates against Hamas
