Key Messages from Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s Ashura Address

Sheikh Naim Qassem commemorated Ashura at the shrine of Martyr of the Nation Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, describing him as the inspiration, builder, and founder whose presence continues to guide the resistance.

He reaffirmed this year’s slogan, “Hussein Is Our Path,” emphasizing that Karbala remains a symbol of sacrifice, steadfastness, and resistance against oppression.

Qassem congratulated Iran, the resistance movements, and all peoples seeking independence and freedom on what he described as a historic victory over the Israeli-American project.

He argued that the primary objective of the war against Iran was regime change and the destruction of the Islamic Republic, stressing that this objective failed and that American and Israeli plans suffered a major setback.

On Lebanon, he warned that Israel seeks a weakened and submissive Lebanon that can be dominated politically, militarily, and socially, describing the confrontation as an existential struggle for Lebanon’s future.

He credited the resistance and its supporters with preventing the implementation of what he called the “Greater Israel” project and safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and identity.

Highlighting Hezbollah’s military performance during the war, he stated that the resistance carried out 3,185 operations, targeted hundreds of Israeli military vehicles and aircraft, and inflicted significant losses on Israeli forces.

Qassem stressed that Hezbollah’s strength stems not only from military capabilities but from faith, determination, and a willingness to sacrifice, which he described as the foundation of resilience on the battlefield.

He declared that any negotiations with Israel must focus on ending aggression, securing Israeli withdrawal, restoring Lebanese sovereignty, returning detainees, and enabling displaced residents to return home.

He firmly rejected any proposal linked to disarming the resistance, stating that “any project under the title of disarmament will not pass.”

Domestically, he called for national dialogue, unity, and cooperation among Lebanese political forces while insisting that internal Lebanese issues must not be tied to negotiations with Israel.

Concluding his remarks, Qassem reaffirmed that the central objective remains the restoration of Lebanon’s full sovereignty and the eventual end of Israeli occupation and aggression.