Traditionally adorned with photos of Iranian proxy group Hezbollah’s martyrs and leaders, the southern suburbs of Beirut, the occasion’s bastion, are actually lined with Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) iconography, however lots of the terrorist group’s supporters have remained against the transfer.
Statues, billboards and posters of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani – killed by US airstrikes in Iraq in January 2020 – have been erected throughout the suburb’s populous neighborhoods in addition to on the freeway connecting the worldwide airport to the capital Beirut.
Many Lebanese have decried Hezbollah’s marketing campaign, considered as an emblem of Iranian domination of Lebanon. Hezbollah’s in style base isn’t any stranger to the controversy, with many long-time supporters of the terrorist group against what they criticize as a provocative marketing campaign to different Lebanese communities at a time when the nation is struggling an unprecedented financial and political disaster.
“Despite Iran’s support to our struggle against Israel, we should not erect pictures of Iranian military or symbols, if that is perceived as offensive to a large tranche of the Lebanese population, at a time when the country is facing so many political and economic challenges,” Ali, a nurse hailing from Dahieh, the colloquial title referring to the Southern suburbs of Beirut, mentioned.
On the eve of the anniversary of Soleimani’s demise, Hezbollah engaged in a large marketing campaign celebrating the Iranian commander “martyrdom” in opposition to the Americans. Hezbollah militants had been additionally seen distributing posters and headbands that includes Soleimani’s title with the point out “Jerusalem and Karbala are his destiny”.
In the southern Lebanese village of Arabsalim, a model depicting the moment a US drone missile struck Soleimani’s vehicle on its manner out of Baghdad’s airport was positioned on the primary highway. The militant group additionally erected a statue of the Iranian General within the southern Lebanese city of Maroun al-Ras. The bronze bust of Soleimani, was additionally positioned in Ghobeiry, within the southern suburbs by the native municipality, to commemorate the final’s demise.
Ahmad, a grocery retailer proprietor, echoed the Ali’s statements, noting that putting the final’s photos in areas outdoors of Hezbollah’s pure dominion would solely infuriate different Lebanese and additional marginalize Shiites.
Iranian cultural colonialism
Other Shiites view the commemoration of Soleimani’s demise as a type of cultural colonialism. “As a victim of the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon, I support the Resistance [Hezbollah]. But I do not see why we should erect statues to Soleimani, a person who is foreign to our culture and our Lebanese identity,” mentioned Nada a physiotherapist from South Lebanon.
Lokman Slim, an anti-Hezbollah activist, emphasised that whereas a bit of Hezbollah’s conventional in style base could criticize the occasion’s rising pro-Iranian propaganda in Lebanon, few publicly oppose it. “Shiites may view these theatrics as provocative to other Lebanese, but they remain part of a silent opposition, which only criticizes the party behind closed doors,” Slim mentioned.
Amal, a beautician dwelling within the southern suburbs defined that nobody can problem the creeping Iranian affect in southern areas. “We may not be happy with it, but we have no other choice but to accept it,” she added fatalistically.
For anti-Hezbollah activist and Janoubia editor Ali Amine, Hezbollah’s newest marketing campaign in commemoration of Soleimani’s demise goals to root Lebanese Shiite identification in Iranian navy and spiritual references.
“Hezbollah has done much more in terms of propaganda for the death of Soleimani than for after the killing of its own commander Imad Mughnieh. Hezbollah is attempting to impose and normalize Iranian cultural references on its Shiite constituency,” he added.
Read extra:
Hezbollah erects statue of Soleimani while Lebanon is dismantled
Hezbollah municipality erects Soleimani statue in Beirut suburbs sparking controversy
Lebanese decry Hezbollah’s erection of Soleimani posters, monuments in Beirut suburbs
Last Update: Monday, 18 January 2021 KSA 13:16 – GMT 10:16
