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.
Amal has reaffirmed its role as Hezbollah’s junior partner despite early speculation of division.
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.
However, as the war has escalated, with Israeli forces having launched an invasion of parts of south Lebanon and effectively aiming to empty a planned buffer zone of the Shia population, Amal has again demonstrated its role as Hezbollah’s junior partner in what is likely seen within a broad swath of Amal’s constituency as an existential battle for the Shia community of Lebanon. Indeed, on the political level, Amal boycotted a cabinet session in protest at thedecision to declare Iran’s ambassador persona non grata. Further, Berri himself recently declared: ‘We are with Iran when the choice is between it and Israel. And if the choice were between Israel and black Afareet [demons], we are of course against Israel.’
On the ground, members of Amal are also participating in the fight against Israeli forces, under the movement’s armed wing: ‘The Lebanese Resistance Units.’ This can be readily discerned from examples of social media announcements of Amal ‘martyrs’:
‘On the path of al-Husayn, the master of the world: the Lebanese Resistance Units- Amal and the town of al-Khiyam present the heroic martyr Husayn Ali Haydar (Ruhollah).’
‘With much pride and honour, the Lebanese Resistance Units- Amal presents to its leader his Eminence Imam Musa al-Sadr and its believing masses, the mujahid martyr Shibbr Ali Mortada (Sayyid), who was martyred while undertaking his duty of jihad in resisting the Zionist aggression and clashing with the enemy in the town of al-Khiyam.’
In general therefore, intra-Shia communal solidarity has hardened in the face of the Israeli military operations. Amal is standing by Hezbollah, which continues to reject calls for its disarmament and is faced with a Lebanese army that is unable and unwilling to force Hezbollah to disarm. While there was something real to the disarmament of Hezbollah positions south of the Litani River, this was only in so far as Hezbollah was willingly handing over some positions and arms to the Lebanese army.
Intra-Shia solidarity has strengthened as the conflict with Israel has escalated.
As it stands, I am skeptical that the current Israeli campaign could somehow achieve Hezbollah’s final disarmament. The campaign is doubt exerting real pressure on the group and brought further losses, but the real turning point can only come if the Shia community is no longer willing to stand by Hezbollah.
Below is an interview conducted yesterday with an Amal official from Touline in south Lebanon regarding the movement’s position on events in the country.
Q: Some people say there is a disagreement between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement regarding the entry into this war with Israel. What’s your view of that?
A: Untrue. We are of the foundation of the resistance established by the disappeared Imam leader al-Sayyid Musa al-Safr and his two companions. We are in the line of resistance in defence of Lebanon and the south, while Mr. Nabih Berri carries the responsibility of being speaker of the parliament.
Q: So currently the Amal Movement is participating in fighting the Israeli forces in the south of Lebanon?
A: Yes, of course.
Q: Do you believe that Israel is striving to wipe out the Shia in Lebanon?
A: The resistance.
Q: So they’re not striving to wipe out the Shia.
A: It’s the same thing.
Q: Through participating in fighting Israel right now, what are your aims exactly?
A: Forcing Israel to withdraw from the south of Lebanon and stop its attacks.
Q: How do you assess the Lebanese government’s decisions like banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities and likewise attempting to expel the Iranian ambassador from Lebanon?
A: The state is unable to disarm [Hezbollah] and there are no guarantees. The resistance will not end.
Q: Do you think the government is striving to normalise relations with Israel?
A: It is striving to do so, but normalisation has not happened.
Q: Let’s suppose a scenario for example where the Israelis withdraw from all Lebanese lands and there are real guarantees to prevent Israel from striking Lebanese territory again, i.e. the Israeli threat against Lebanese territory would end. In this case, would you support disarming Hezbollah?
A: Of course not. No to disarmament.
Q: For what reasons?
A: The Israelis might enter again. They cannot be trusted.
Q: In your view should the struggle continue until Israel is eliminated?
A: Of course.
Q: Finally what is your message to the international community and the Lebanese government?
A: Stop the attacks and get the Israelis out of our land.
Published originally on April 7, 2026.
