Former Director General of Lebanese General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim warned Thursday that developments in southern Lebanon are unlikely to remain contained, cautioning that their repercussions “will be very significant.”
He stressed that the resistance “is a product of this land,” deriving its legitimacy from popular support, “a legitimacy that cannot be stripped away.”
Speaking on Al-Manar TV’s Panorama Today talk show, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim described himself as “a son of the South and of this entire nation,” reiterating that the trajectory of events is becoming clearer despite the fog of war. While acknowledging that current developments may appear obscured by battlefield dynamics, he said the range of possible outcomes is narrowing.
“Patience and steadfastness,” he added, “are guiding us toward the most likely scenario—one in which the war ends and its turmoil subsides, yielding results that will, God willing, bring relief,” he told Al-Manar’s Manar Sabbagh.
Maj. Gen. Ibrahim drew a distinction between legality and legitimacy, arguing that the resistance’s legitimacy stems from its confrontation with the “brutal” Israeli enemy, its rootedness in the land, and sustained public backing.
“Even amid dissenting voices, fabricated narratives, and attempts to delegitimize the resistance, legitimacy endures,” he said, asserting that such legitimacy—grounded in a significant segment of the Lebanese population—remains constant, “unlike legal frameworks, which are fluid.”
Israeli Enemy Sowing Internal Discord
Addressing recent Israeli psychological warfare tactics, the former General Security chief pointed to the distribution of enemy leaflets in Beirut as evidence of attempts to incite internal discord. He underscored that the Lebanese Army remains committed to preventing strife, maintaining that it will neither become a tool nor a trigger for internal conflict.
He recalled that President Joseph Aoun, prior to assuming office, emphasized the army’s neutrality in domestic affairs and its refusal to execute political agendas. Maj. Gen. Ibrahim said this doctrine remains firmly upheld by the military leadership, including Army Chief General Rudolph Haykal, and the officer corps. “The army will not be a source of internal strife,” he affirmed.
On the arrest and prosecution of resistance fighters, Ibrahim framed such measures as part of broader sacrifices, suggesting that “when the dust settles, the full picture will emerge.”
“Those who do not read history cannot foresee the future,” he said, emphasizing the importance of historical awareness in shaping political judgment.
On the military front, Ibrahim asserted that the Israeli mobilization, reportedly involving tens of thousands of troops along the Lebanese border, signals preparation for a broader offensive rather than so-called defensive measures.
He said ongoing high-level security meetings in the Zionist entity indicate that invasion planning is no longer covert. In this context, he argued that the scale of violence reflects premeditated escalation rather than a proportional response to rockets launched by Hezbollah.
Possible Syrian Intervention?
Regarding concerns over the Syrian front, Ibrahim dismissed the likelihood of Syrian military intervention, citing both limited capability and lack of intent. He noted that the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq had issued warnings against any cross-border moves, underscoring the potential for wider regional repercussions.
Turning to Israeli ambitions in the Bekaa Valley, Ibrahim referenced statements and maps presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, linking them to a broader vision of “Greater Israel.” He interpreted recent military probing operations as preparatory steps for a larger campaign, particularly given Israeli concerns over missile and drone capabilities of the resistance. He also cited the two airborne attempts by the Israeli enemy, including operations tied to the search for Ron Arad, as part of ongoing psychological warfare efforts.
“These attempts,” Ibrahim said, “continue to break against the will and steadfastness of the people,” both in the South and the Bekaa.
Concluding on a military assessment, Ibrahim praised the resistance’s battlefield performance as “more than excellent,” expressing surprise at the continued presence of resistance fighters in areas the Israeli enemy had declared “cleared” south of the Litani River.
“If that area is ‘clean,’” he said, “it is because of those who defended it. That is what true ‘cleanliness’ means.”
Lebanese Resistance's “Elite Marksmen” Ambush Israeli Forces, Hunt Merkavas Anew
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) March 19, 2026
Epic clashes were reported before dawn on Thursday as Israeli forces attempted to advance towards the southern Lebanese town of Taybe. However, the Resistance's highly trained fighters were waiting. pic.twitter.com/RL5bkjhzzj
Source: Al-Manar English Website