Intelligence Head Says Shiites of More Concern Now Than Syria

Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak, head of army intelligence, believes there is little chance of war with Syria in the near future because of that country’s severe economic problems. Of more immediate concern are the attacks of the Iranian-backed Hezbullah, the band of Shiite extremists waging guerrilla war in south Lebanon, he said.

Shahak offered his opinions in a series of television interviews Wednesday on the occasion of Intelligence Corps Day. “The Syrian army is still very large,” he said. “Syria is a country experiencing difficulties, and the army is part of those difficulties but is also doing its part to help extricate it from them.” Such a country is unlikely to be an initiator of military moves, Shahak said. “On the other hand, I would never make predictions about a country like Syria,” he added. He said the Syrian army has been reduced in size but its capabilities in terms of a short-term effort are increasing.”

Shahak described Hezbullah as “one of Iran’s power centers” in Lebanon. “I don’t think that the overall strength of Hezbullah has changed drastically in the past year but there is no doubt that Hezbullah enjoys very massive Iranian aid, both in money and combat means,” he said. “With the money and means you can buy a lot of influence and a lot of sympathy and a lot of strength in Lebanon.”

Shahak noted that “in recent months Hezbullah has launched more than a few attacks. Some were total failures but others were successful. . .I am certain that Hezbullah will continue its attack and when they are successful they gain the sympathy of the Shiite population. On the basis of that sympathy, it is not hard to recruit more young Shiites to Hezbullah,” Shahak said.

“This also makes it difficult for the Syrians to act against this organization which is operating against Israel. In any event, the Syrians do not seem to be interfering today,” he said.