Hashem Safieddine

Hashem Safieddine is the reported head of Hezbollah’s Executive Assembly, responsible for overseeing the terror group’s political, organizational, 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 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. According to the Iranian newspaper Khoursid, Safieddine is next in line to lead Hezbollah after 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 has been part of Hezbollah’s hierarchy since the group’s inception and reportedly received leadership training in Iran in the 1980s.“INSIGHT - HZ - More details on reshuffling,” Wikileaks, March 11, 2013, https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/10/1012276_insight-hz-more-details-on-reshuffling-.html. He took over the Executive Assembly in 1992 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. In August 2008, Nasrallah accused Israel of trying to assassinate himRoee 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. 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.

Also Known As

• Hashem Safi al-DinDudi Cohen, “Nasrallah replacement chosen,” YNet, October 13, 2008, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3608528,00.html.
• Hashem Safi a-DinZohar Blumenkrantz, Irit Rosenblum, Amos Harel, and Avi Issacharoff, “Lebanon army on alert after reported IDF build-up on border,” Haaretz, August 10, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/lebanon-army-on-alert-after-reported-idf-build-up-on-border-1.281701.
• Hashim Safi al DinCasey L. Addis and Christopher M. Blanchard, “Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service, January 3, 2011, https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R41446.pdf.
• Hashim Safi Al-DinLarbi Sadiki, “Hezbollah and the Arab Revolution,” Al Jazeera, June 21, 2011, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011619134113577322.html.
• Hashim Safieddine“Lebanon: Hezbollah’s Reshuffle,” Stratfor, April 25, 2008, https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/lebanon-hezbollahs-reshuffle.