Hezbollah is founded.
Hezbollah is a Shiite Islamist militant group and political party based in Lebanon, founded in the early 1980s with support from Iran and Syria. It emerged during the Lebanese Civil War as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and has since evolved into a powerful force in Lebanese politics and regional conflicts. Hezbollah operates both as an armed resistance movement and a political entity, holding seats in the Lebanese parliament and maintaining significant influence over state affairs. The group is known for its military operations against Israel, particularly during the 2006 Lebanon War, as well as its involvement in the Syrian Civil War in support of the Assad regime. While Hezbollah is regarded as a legitimate resistance movement by its supporters, many Western nations, including the U.S. and the E.U., classify it as a terrorist organization due to its militant activities and alleged involvement in attacks beyond Lebanon’s borders. The group maintains strong ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which provides it with funding, weapons, and training. Hezbollah also operates extensive social services, including schools, hospitals, and welfare programs, which contribute to its domestic popularity, particularly among Lebanon’s Shiite population. However, its military strength, independent of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and its role in regional conflicts continue to fuel tensions within Lebanon and beyond.