Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Saturday, May 17, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»News»Lebanon News
    NY Times | JusticeInfo
    3 Mins Read

    Security Officials: Ayyash Was Part Of Hezbollah Special Ops Unit 121

    By Souad LazkaniAugust 27, 2020Updated:February 8, 2021
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Following an 11-year investigation, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) found one of four accused suspects guilty in the Rafic Hariri assassination case.

    While the convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash is nowhere to be found, yet, his name has been the subject of conversation ever since the verdict.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CECM0Gpj27q/

    Hit Squad Unit 121

    In a recent report, The Washington Post shared information from current and former security officials from the United States and three European and Middle Eastern countries about Ayyash.

    According to the report, Ayyash “was part of a dedicated hit squad that carried out at least four other assassinations under orders from the militant group Hezbollah.”

    The assassination team – apparently still active today – is known as Unit 121 and is “controlled by Hezbollah’s top leadership,” said The Washington Post.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXHCjSg4Ls/

    After Hariri’s assassination, there were four more victims – Wissam Eid, Wissam al-Hassan, François al-Hajj, and Mohamad Chatah – all who died in the same way: car bombs. One of the officials said they were victims of Unit 121.

    One official said, “Although the hit squad’s makeup changed, a common thread was the participation of Ayyash,” wrote The Washington Post, adding that Ayyash later became a commander of Unit 121.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by FRANCE 24 (@france24)

    To be clear, the STL did not find enough evidence that linked Hezbollah’s leader to the killing of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

    However, the current and former security officials believe that “the existence of the assassination team further undercuts speculation that Hariri died at the hands of rogue operatives who acted without authorization from Hezbollah’s top leadership.”

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by KoshkNews (@koshknews1)

    “Hezbollah is an extremely disciplined organization,” said a former senior U.S. national security official involved in the Hariri case, assuring Hezbollah’s control over Unit 121.

    Regardless, Hezbollah denies any connection to the death of the former premier and even maintains the innocence of Ayyash.

    Ayyash family has also called the verdict “unjust,” claiming that he was performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia at the time of the crime.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Daraj Media English (@darajmediaenglish)

    In a tight spot

    For over 6 years, tonnes of ammonium nitrate (a chemical used to make bombs) were unsafely stored at Beirut’s port. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

    On August 4th, hell broke loose and the material ended up blowing Beirut to shreds. The citizens have since taken a stronger anti-government stance, including anti-Hezbollah.

    The reaction has also been noticeable among some politicians calling on the state to reveal all Hezbollah’s arsenal depots in the country.

    The explosion that tore Beirut apart has also torn down the fear that existed in not saying a word against Hezbollah’s unconstitutional military force in the country so not be accused of “treason” against the state, and of Zionism, and the likes.

    It broke the silence of a nation living for so long under such manipulative terror.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Daraj Media English (@darajmediaenglish)

    While “political correctness” is still there with some, the militia is nonetheless in a tight spot, as are Lebanon’s top civil servants.

    The president and senior officials are facing immense pressure from world leaders and the international community to make reforms, which most likely include relinquishing their overprotective position towards Hezbollah.

    Hezbollah Special Tribunal For Lebanon (STL)
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    uae travel ban lebanon 961

    UAE Is Officially Removing The Travel Ban On Lebanon

    Joe Issa El-Khoury 961

    Who is Joe Issa El-Khoury, Lebanon’s New Minister of Industry

    Adel Nassar 961

    Who is Adel Nassar, Lebanon’s New Minister of Justice

    Nizar Hani 961

    Who is Nizar Hani, Lebanon’s New Minister of Agriculture

    Charles Hajj 961

    Who Is Charles Hajj, Lebanon’s New Minister of Telecommunications

    Nora Bayrakdarian 961

    Who is Nora Bayrakdarian, Lebanon’s New Minister of Youth and Sports

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    May 7, 2025

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    June 30, 2022

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    visa whish money partnership

    Visa and Whish Money Just Partnered To Push Digital Payments in Lebanon and Abroad

    May 6, 2025
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay