President Donald Trump is urging Syria to take military action against the Hezbollah group in neighboring Lebanon, a move that analysts say could be short-sighted and potentially destabilizing. According to experts, pressing Damascus to intervene risks undermining the country's own domestic security, which is already fragile after years of civil war.
Hezbollah is a powerful Lebanese militant and political organization that has been a key ally of the Syrian government. The United States has long viewed Hezbollah as a terrorist group. Trump's reported pressure on Syria to act against Hezbollah comes amid broader U.S. efforts to curb Iranian influence in the region, as Hezbollah receives support from Iran.
However, analysts argue that pushing Syria into direct confrontation with Hezbollah could backfire. Syria's security forces are stretched thin, and any new conflict might create further instability within the country's borders. The Syrian government has its own priorities, including maintaining control over territory and rebuilding after a devastating war.
The White House has not officially commented on the analysts' assessment. The situation highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East, where pressure from one nation can have unintended consequences for another. Observers are watching closely to see if Syria responds to the U.S. requests or resists them.