Hezbollah warns it'll get more involved in Syria if foreign threats jeopardize regime

Hezbollah has threatened to intervene further in Syria if there is any threat the regime could fall to the United States, Israel or extremists, the Lebanese militant group said.

The radical Shiite group, which the United States and Israel call a terrorist organization, has said it is in Syria only to protect Lebanese in the country and to protect holy Shiite shrines from the warfare.

But reports emerged months ago that Hezbollah fighters are battling Syrian rebels near the Lebanese border.

On Tuesday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the group could step up its presence in Syria and issued an ominous warning to opposition members backed by foreigners who may try to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Syria has real friends in the region and the world. And they will never allow Syria to fall to the hands of the United States, Israel or extremist groups. They will never allow it. You may ask how will this happen. The details will come later," Nasrallah said.

The 2-year-old Syrian civil war has been fueled not only by demands for more freedom and an end to al-Assad's family dynasty, but also by sectarian strife.

The majority of the country is Sunni Muslim; al-Assad's family is Alawite, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

The Hezbollah leader expressed concern that some Sunni extremists may try to destroy holy Shiite shrines in Syria. While such shrines are highly revered by Shiites, a number of Sunni radicals believe they amount to sacrilege.

One of the most notable shrines is the Sayida Zeinab, which Shiites believe houses the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed's granddaughter, Zeinab. It's located about 10 kilometers (six miles) south of the Syrian capital.

"Some extremist groups plan to execute their threats with regards to (Sayida Zeinab), and if such a crime were to take place, it will carry with it grave consequences," Nasrallah said.

But the Syrian National Coalition, an umbrella opposition group, dismissed the Hezbollah leader's claims.

"Only the Syrians are responsible to defend and protect their cities and their holy shrines. We don't need the regime militias or Hezbollah fighters to tell us what our duty is," the council said in a statement. "This is our land, our country and our future."

Sources :

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/01/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t1