TerrorismIncreasing Hezbollah activity in Europe worries security officials
This month, it was revealed that Hezbollah agents operating in Europe made procurements for “parts and technologies” in Bulgaria which would allow them to operate surveillance drones in the country. The activities on the part of Iran-partnered Hezbollah over the past two years mark a historical change in terms of their European operations and planning — a rise in activity following a lower profile after their more renown activities of the 1980s.
This month, it was revealed that Hezbollah agents operating in Europe made procurements for “parts and technologies” in Bulgaria which would allow them to operate surveillance drones in the country.
As Defense One reports, under the Stars Group Holding company, the owners, subsidiaries, and “certain managers and individuals” functioned as Hezbollah procurement group which sought to purchase technological equipment from around the world and utilize it in Europe. The organization was recently blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury.
Following this and further incidents — such as a plot to target Israeli tourists in the country six months ago, and an infamous airport bus bombing in Burgas two years ago — U.S. intelligence members and lawmakers are growing increasingly worried.
Last Tuesday, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would potentially allow the United States to impose harsh sanctions on the organization, including the punishment of banks that worked with them.
These attacks and efforts on the part of Iran-partnered Hezbollah over the past two years mark a historical change in terms of their European operations and planning — a rise in activity following a lower profile after their more renown activities of the 1980s.
In response to this, the EU also banned Hezbollah’s military wing last summer, which allowed for the seizure of much of its finances in Europe. This has led to successful incidents such as the seizure of 770,000 euros in the possession of two Lebanese airline passengers, and the German raid of a fundraising front organization known as the “Orphan Children Project Lebanon.
As Defense One notes, however, these measures fail to counteract the activities of the group in certain meaningful ways. The surveillance drone incident is the first catch that truly has affected their operations.
Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen said that the latest incident reinforced that “it is critical that countries throughout the world work together to combat this dangerous organization and sever it from sources of revenue and support.”
