Satellite images reveal new Hezbollah airstrip near Syria

Satellite images have uncovered a new airstrip in a secluded part of east Lebanon believed to be used by the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, possibly for launching Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to a report in IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly, the strip is said to have been constructed sometime between February 2013 and June 2014 and is located in the Bekaa Valley in a remote area west of the Syrian border.

Hezbollah sources have confirmed the organization uses drones to support operations against rebels in neighboring Syria, according to the report.

Hezbollah has also sought to launch drones into Israel.

The strip measures 670m by 20m and is equipped with six small utility buildings and what could possibly be a control station just south of the area. The buildings were said to be not sufficiently large to house Iranian-made UAVs but two buildings 2.5 km away were of the right size.

The site is guarded by a Hezbollah checkpoint and swing gate, Jane’s reported.

Iran and forces loyal to Bashar Assad have routinely been using drones in war-torn Syria in their fight against rebels and Islamic extremists.

In 2014, A Saudi paper reported that Hezbollah had built a new “military airport” for UVAs in the Bekaa Valley, according to Jane’s.

In October 2012, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching a drone aircraft that was shot down over Israel, saying the UAV had been assembled by Hezbollah men using parts provided by Iran.

Hassan Nasrallah said the drone was named the Ayoub, honoring both an Islamic prophet (of patience) and a “martyr” by the name of Hussein Ayoub.

The UAV was shot down over the Yatir Forest in the northern Negev after it entered Israel from the skies over Gaza. Israeli officials believe it was launched from Lebanon and flew south over the Mediterranean before turning inland over Gaza.