Russia’s Wagner group may send air-defense system to Hezbollah: US

Russia’s Wagner group is preparing to supply an advanced air defence missile system to Hezbollah following recent clashes between the Lebanese militia group and Israel. The US Intelligence has received information indicating the development, the New York Post reported, adding that American officials are currently monitoring discussions between the Wagner mercenary group and Lebanon’s Hamas-supporting militia regarding the potential delivery of the SA-22, also known as the Pantsir-S1 system. The SA-22 is a truck-mounted surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon system manufactured in Russia, designed to combat airstrikes. This system may potentially be deployed in the Middle East by the Iran-backed militia group for defence against Israeli airstrikes. Tensions have risen along the Lebanese border as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. According to the US officials, the SA-22 has yet to be delivered to Lebanon, but highlighted that some Hezbollah and Wagner personnel are currently stationed in Syria, New York Post reported. However, it is still unclear if the weapon could be transported from Lebanon to Gaza to help Hamas in fighting against Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza. Moreover, Russian officials have also not commented on the alleged discussion between Wagner and Hezbollah yet. Meanwhile, the US has made its presence in the area by stationing an aircraft barrier in the Eastern Mediterranean to hinder Hezbollah from joining Hamas in attacking Israel. As Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7 as Hamas attacked the country by firing rockets, US President Joe Biden warned outside parties from staging an assault on Israel’s borders. However, despite the warning, the heads of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad met last week to announce their united war against Israel, the New York Post reported. The trio of terrorist leaders – dubbed the “axis of resistance” – met to set a goal for achieving “a real victory for the resistance in Gaza and Palestine” and halt Israel’s “treacherous and brutal aggression against our oppressed and steadfast people in Gaza and the West Bank,” a statement said.