October 23 marks the 40th anniversary of Lebanese Hezbollah’s truck bomb attack on the marine barracks in Beirut. The assault, which killed 241 US marines, was, until 11 September 2001, the most deadly terrorist attack against Americans. Indeed, to this day, except al-Qaida, no terrorist organisation has killed more.
While this attack on US troops deployed as part of the US-French Multinational Force in Lebanon Peacekeepers occurred four decades ago, it’s an increasingly relevant reminder of the danger this Iranian-created proxy force poses.
The last time Hezbollah targeted Americans was in 1996 when the group supported the bombing of Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, an explosion that killed 19 US Air Force personnel.
As the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza enters its third week, however, there are indications that Hezbollah could again target Americans.
Shortly after the 7 October Hamas assault that launched the war, President Biden unambiguously articulated US support for Israel. “We stand with Israel,” he said, adding, “We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack.”
This statement was accompanied by an immediate resupply of armaments, and Washington’s explicit backing for a punishing air campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
USS Ford deployed in the eastern Mediterranean
More significant, for Hezbollah, to deter outside actors—i.e., Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy militia—from entering the conflict and opening new fronts, the US deployed the USS Ford Aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean. The deployment — and the subsequent positioning of a Marine Amphibious ready group — provoked a quick response from Hezbollah.
On 11 October, Hezbollah’s media department condemned US support for Israel, saying, “We consider the United States a deeply entrenched partner in the Zionist aggression and hold it wholly accountable for the bloodshed.”
As for the positioning of the carrier, Hezbollah added, “We stand firm in asserting that this move will not intimidate our nations. Our people and the resolute resistance factions remain poised for confrontation until ultimate victory and full liberation are realised.”
As usual, Tehran and its client are on the same page. Indeed, on 16 October, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, indicated that by virtue of its support to Israel, the US “is already militarily involved in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”