Exclusive – “The Party” in Crisis: Unprecedented Financial and Military Pressures
By the Lebanese Forces Website Team
Iran is experiencing deep internal turmoil, which has begun to have a clear impact on many of its affiliated groups, foremost among them “the Party” in Lebanon. The Wall Street Journal has revealed a surprising decision by the Party’s leadership to freeze financial compensations that were being paid to its members in recent weeks. This sheds light on the financial crisis the Party is facing due to the deteriorating situation in the region. Additionally, reports indicate that the Party has issued orders to evacuate some of its military positions in southern Lebanon, further highlighting the mounting pressures it is under.
Well-informed sources suggest that these decisions were not entirely unexpected, as they reflect the Party’s worsening financial and military situation. Militarily, the Party appears to be struggling to restructure and reinforce its forces due to the loss of supply routes, especially after unfavorable developments in Syria, which had been a key corridor for its military support. With supply routes being cut off and increased monitoring of activities at Rafic Hariri International Airport, Iran has become unable to send financial aid or weapons to the Party. This has forced the Party to adopt severe austerity measures. Moreover, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly decided to halt financial support and budgets previously allocated to militias, limiting their expenditures strictly to internal party affairs.
The same sources told the Lebanese Forces website that, as part of cost-cutting measures, the Party has implemented an austerity policy by reducing the number of its fighters and limiting their deployment. Orders have been issued to evacuate numerous military positions in southern Lebanon, including those north of the Litani River. These decisions are aimed at preserving limited resources and cutting costs related to transporting weapons and personnel. The focus is now on maintaining only essential personnel to ensure the Party’s survival during this challenging phase, as it faces a severe financial crisis.
Sources confirm that these steps signal major shifts in the Party’s military and financial policies. It remains to be seen how these measures will impact its influence in Lebanon and the broader region and whether it can sustain its position amid the decline in direct Iranian support.