Hezbollah’s Reckoning: A Deep Dive into Military Mistakes and Corruption

Hezbollah has launched a comprehensive internal review of its performance during the recent conflict, establishing several small committees tasked with examining various aspects of its operations. The evaluation covers everything from battlefield management and tactical errors to the roles played by supporting units, including social, health, and financial sectors.

Sources close to the matter have revealed that a team from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively involved in these committees, with some of them being led by members of the Guard. A key area of focus is the evaluation of military leadership, command structures, breach monitoring, and the delays in assuming responsibility within the organization.

This investigation is being viewed as a form of internal audit intended to ensure the loyalty of party members, enforce organizational and ethical guidelines, and mitigate any mistakes or violations that could harm the party’s public image or undermine its long-term strategic objectives.

The committees are focusing on four main areas:

First, violations of military discipline, such as failure to comply with orders, delays in executing commands, absence during critical moments, and the making of unilateral decisions that affected the broader course of the battle.

Second, the management of resources and finances during the war. This includes scrutiny over how funds and materials were used, as well as investigations into potential corruption or mismanagement within the party, prompted by numerous complaints.

Third, there are investigations into potential acts of betrayal or collaboration, with party members suspected of conspiring with enemy forces under close examination.

Although disciplinary actions range from oral warnings to dismissal from leadership positions or rehabilitation in some cases, sources suggest that Hezbollah’s leadership is taking a more severe stance by expelling members from the party, even in cases where the actions may not be classified as grave offenses like treason or financial misconduct.

As part of its efforts to adapt to the financial strain following the war, Hezbollah is also undergoing a restructuring of its operations. With liquidity weakening and the need for large amounts of funding to rebuild the damage caused by the conflict, the party has been forced to reduce spending. Several full-time party workers have been separated from their positions following the suspension of their allowances.

This financial hardship has led to an increase in requests for emigration, particularly to Germany, which is home to a large Shiite community. Many young people who had worked full-time for Hezbollah have been sending requests to their relatives, seeking assistance with immigration due to halted salaries, the uncertainty surrounding reconstruction efforts, and the lack of clarity in the party’s recovery strategy. These requests have surged despite European countries' strict policies on accepting such applications.

In another development, reports have emerged about Hezbollah's efforts to solicit large sums of money from Shiite businessmen in Africa. These businessmen have been promised repayment if “things improve.” The party has also reportedly imposed specific amounts based on the size and capacity of these businesses, acknowledging that Hezbollah played a major role in expanding their operations.

Alongside these financial adjustments, Hezbollah is restructuring its economic institutions, which include construction companies, real estate ventures, restaurants, and food and agricultural industries. Some of these businesses were destroyed during the war, while others continue to operate, forming a crucial financial backbone for the party. Despite ongoing operations, suspicions of corruption remain within some of the management of these ventures.

Hezbollah’s internal review and restructuring efforts underscore the challenges the organization faces in the aftermath of the war, as it works to regain financial stability, tighten its internal discipline, and address the political and economic fallout of its recent military engagement.

This is an English adaptation of an Arabic article by Iskandar Khashasho published in Annahar.