The Amal Movement and the New War in Lebanon: Interview

While Hezbollah remains the most prominent faction representing the Shia community in Lebanon, the Amal Movement- founded by Lebanese cleric Musa al-Sadr- also enjoys the support of a sizeable contingent of Lebanese Shia, as illustrated by its representation in the Lebanese parliament. Although not ideologically aligned with Iran in the way that Hezbollah is (e.g. the movement does not declare loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader), Amal has primarily functioned as a junior partner of Hezbollah with Lebanon since 2005 when Hezbollah first entered the Lebanese government.

There is no doubt that the Amal’s leadership did not want to see a return to open war with Israel following Hezbollah’s losses in the 2023-2024 war (in which Amal members also participated as a junior partner) and the devastation inflicted on parts of Lebanon during that period. As the new round of war commenced on 2 March, some observers who were more hopeful about Hezbollah’s disarmament saw signs of a possible split between Amal and Hezbollah amid reports that Amal leader Nabih Berri agreed to the Lebanese government cabinet decision to ban Hezbollah’s military and security activities. Such hopes were also amplified by some early media reports on the anger of some Lebanese Shia with Hezbollah’s decision to reactivate the war front, amid war weariness and fear of further displacement and destruction.