Overview
Hashem Safieddine is responsible for overseeing Hezbollah’s political, social, cultural, and educational activities. Casey L. Addis and Christopher M. Blanchard, “Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service, January 3, 2011, 11, https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R41446.pdf. As the head of the Executive Assembly, Safieddine is one of seven elected members of Hezbollah’s ruling Shura Council.Jonathan Masters and Zachary Laub, “Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah),” Council on Foreign Relations, January 3, 2014, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155. He is reportedly next in line to lead Hezbollah as the successor to Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.Dudi Cohen, “Nasrallah replacement chosen,” YNet, October 13, 2008, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3608528,00.html. Safieddine was designated as a terrorist by the United States and Saudi Arabia in May 2017.“State Department Terrorist Designations of Hashem Safieddine and Muhammad al-Isawi,” U.S. Department of State, May 19, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/05/270982.htm.
Safieddine has been part of Hezbollah’s hierarchy since the group’s inception in 1982.“Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing Fast Facts,” CNN, October 18, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/world/meast/beirut-marine-barracks-bombing-fast-facts/index.html. In the 1980s, Safieddine reportedly received leadership training in Iran and in 1992, he took over the Executive Assembly after its previous head, Nasrallah, became secretary-general.“INSIGHT - HZ - More details on reshuffling,” Wikileaks, March 11, 2013, https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/10/1012276_insight-hz-more-details-on-reshuffling-.html. After accusing Israel of planning to assassinate Hezbollah’s leadership, Nasrallah named Safieddine as his successor in October 2008Roee Nahmias, “Nasrallah: Georgia lost because of Israel,” YNet, August 14, 2008, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3582864,00.html. and two months later named Safieddine his successor.Dudi Cohen, “Nasrallah replacement chosen,” YNet, October 13, 2008, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3608528,00.html.
Safieddine has spoken forcefully against Israel and the U.S. and has guaranteed Hezbollah’s resolve as it fights on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war.“Designated terrorist Hashem Safieddine says Hezbollah ‘will not leave Syria’,” Al Arabiya English, July 22, 2018, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/07/22/Blacklisted-Hezbollah-leader-says-Lebanese-militias-won-t-leave-Syria-.html. Safieddine is Nasrallah’s maternal cousin.“Syria and Iran Come to a Temporary Understanding over Hezbollah,” Stratfor, November 26, 2010, https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/syria-and-iran-come-temporary-understanding-over-hezbollah. His brother, Abdallah Safieddine, is Hezbollah’s representative in Tehran.Michael Isikoff, “Bank accused of laundering drug money for Hezbollah,” NBC News, February 10, 2011, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41512092/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/bank-accused-laundering-drug-money-hezbollah/#.VQnZhY7F9ks.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Hezbollah
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Militia, political party, social-service provider, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Iranian-sponsored, Islamist, jihadist, Khomeinist, Shiite
- Position(s):
- Head of Executive Assembly
Hezbollah is an Iranian-sponsored, internationally sanctioned terrorist group with an anti-Israel and anti-U.S. agenda. Hezbollah is primarily based in Lebanon, but has carried out terrorist and criminal operations around the world.
History
United States
The U.S. Department of State lists Hashem Safieddine as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 in May 2017.“State Department Terrorist Designations of Hashem Safieddine and Muhammad al-Isawi,” U.S. Department of State, May 19, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/05/270982.htm.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designated Hashem Safieddine as a terrorist under its Law of Terrorism Crimes and Financing and Royal Decree A/44 in May 2017.“State Department Terrorist Designations of Hashem Safieddine and Muhammad al-Isawi,” U.S. Department of State, May 19, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/05/270982.htm.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On January 23, 2019, two car bombs exploded outside of a mosque in Benghazi, Libya, killing 41 people and injuring 80 others. No group claimed responsibility for the blast, but remnants suggested an ISIS affiliate was responsible.