ALBAWABA - In a recent report published by the Wall Street Journal, a startling claim has emerged, suggesting that the Russian paramilitary group known as Wagner could potentially provide advanced air defense systems to Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon.
According to sources within American intelligence agencies, there are indications that Wagner may be considering assisting Hezbollah in establishing a new front against Israel. To support this effort, the group could supply Hezbollah with the SA-22 air defense system, which includes anti-aircraft missiles and other air defense weaponry.
It's worth noting that the United States has been closely monitoring discussions and interactions between Wagner and Hezbollah, but at the time of the report, the Russian Embassy had not provided any comments or confirmation regarding these allegations.
This news has been described as "worrying" by Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council, who expressed concerns about the potential consequences of such an action.
The proposed air defense system in question is the Pantsir, also known as the SA-22, a Russian-manufactured system that can be deployed on armored vehicles. This system is designed to counter low-altitude attacks and has been used in various conflict zones, including Syria and Libya.
Intriguingly, an undisclosed source mentioned that Russia had previously supplied the same air defense system to Syria, and any potential shipment to Hezbollah would require the consent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
As with any sensitive geopolitical news, it's essential to scrutinize such claims from multiple sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. The international community will be closely watching for further developments in this potentially destabilizing scenario.
