Hezbollah Protests Erupt in Beirut Over Blocked Iranian Flights
Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut against the Lebanese government’s decision to block Mahan Air flights from Iran. The protests resulted in road closures and heightened tensions, as demonstrators sought answers about the flight cancellations that left passengers stranded. The incident reflects ongoing scrutiny of Iranian influence in Lebanon and raises questions about national sovereignty amid rising instability in the region.
Tensions escalated in Beirut on Thursday as Hezbollah supporters protested the Lebanese government’s decision to deny a Mahan Air flight from Iran landing rights at Rafic Hariri International Airport. Protesters displayed Hezbollah flags, set tires ablaze, and chanted against the authorities’ actions in response to the February 14 flight cancellation. The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday would not be permitted to land, though no specific reasons were given for this decision.
Frustration among passengers stranded at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport grew following the cancellation. As demonstrators took to the streets blocking access to the airport, videos surfaced showing them committing acts of civil disobedience while voicing their discontent against the flight ban. Some protesters displayed images of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was reportedly killed in an airstrike last year.
In an effort to restore order, the Lebanese Army intervened to clear blockages and mitigate tensions following altercations between the protestors and security forces. The situation highlights the escalating animosity as Hezbollah and other allies criticize the flight ban, viewing it as a politically motivated assault on Lebanese sovereignty. Lebanese lawmaker Ibrahim Mousawi articulated this sentiment, accusing external actors of neglecting breaches of national interests.
Hezbollah has consistently rebuffed allegations that the airport serves as a hub for arms and financial transfers. In the wake of concerns about such activities, Lebanese authorities have reportedly intensified inspections of Iranian flights into the country. However, the government has not issued any formal commentary on the incident or provided clarification on the reasoning behind the flight prohibition.
The protests reflect Hezbollah supporters’ demands for accountability and a swift reversal of the restrictions placed on Mahan Air. This incident underscores Iran’s persistent influence in the Middle East, leveraging proxies like Hezbollah to augment its power and heighten instability within Lebanon’s precarious political environment. Observers caution that Iran’s strategic manipulation of civil aviation infrastructure to service its geopolitical interests may lead to further unrest in the region, while Hezbollah supporters remain resolute in their fight against what they perceive as an unjust blockade.
The blockage of Mahan Air flights into Lebanon has ignited significant unrest among Hezbollah supporters, demonstrating the complex interplay between political decisions and public sentiment. As tensions rise, the incident highlights Iran’s ongoing involvement in regional affairs via its proxies, raising concerns about stability in Lebanon and the broader Middle Eastern context. With authorities silent on the flight cancellation, the pressure mounts for clarity and potential policy reversal.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
