Guests Magnus Norell and Carter Burwell discuss Hezbollah attacks in Cyprus and Bulgaria. They explore Hezbollah's tactics, including failed plots, surveillance, and counterterrorism efforts. The podcast reveals the collaboration between US and Cypriot authorities, uncovering deceptive tactics, operative training, and Iran's strategic shift in terrorism activities.
Hezbollah emphasizes operatives' ignorance for security, restructuring after Mugnea's death.
Shift towards civilian targeting reveals Hezbollah's operational weaknesses and strategic redirection.
Deep dives
Hezbollah's Golden Rule: The Less You Know, The Better
Hezbollah's Golden Rule emphasizes the importance of operatives knowing as little as possible for covertness and security. Imad Mugnea, a prominent Hezbollah member, was essential in major terrorist attacks. Following Mugnea's death, Hezbollah struggled with retaliation attempts due to insufficient resources and capabilities. Iran decided to restructure Hezbollah's operations due to failures and established Unit 400 for high-level targets.
Hezbollah's Shifting Tactics after Mugnea's Death
Post-Mugnea, Hezbollah faced challenges and entrusted Talal-Hamea and Mustafa Badr-Din to strengthen the terrorist infrastructure. Their early attempts, like a foiled plot in Azerbaijan and a failed attack in Turkey, highlighted operational deficiencies. Hezbollah's focus shifted to softer targets like Israeli tourists abroad, reflecting Iran's strategic directives for Hezbollah's revised operations.
Talal Khalil and Hussein Basim Abdullah: Continuing Hezbollah's Activities
Operatives like Talal Khalil stored explosives in Cyprus before switching locations to a residential house, managed by Hussein Basim Abdullah. Abdullah monitored and safeguarded ammonium nitrate for planned attacks targeting Jews and Israelis. Despite initial cover stories, both operatives, responsible for significant material support for terrorist activities, were captured by authorities.
Impact of Hezbollah's Tactics in Europe
Hezbollah's covert activities in Cyprus and the Burgas attack underscored operational security blunders. Utilizing dual nationals and legitimate passports for mobility and subterfuge, Hezbollah's increased targeting of civilians marked a shift towards terrorist acts. The EU's response included banning Hezbollah's military wing post-Burgas bombing, revealing a strategic shift in Hezbollah's global activities.
In July 2012, police arrested a well-trained Hezbollah operative named Hossam Yaacoub in Cyprus. Less than two weeks later, a Hezbollah suicide bomb killed 5 Israelis on a tourist bus in Burgas, Bulgaria. But the group wasn’t done in Cyprus. Another operative was stockpiling explosives—and waiting to act.
Guests:
Magnus Norell, senior policy advisor at The European Foundation for Democracy
Carter Burwell, former counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Finance Intelligence