IDF reveals Hezbollah set up precision-missile site in Bekaa
Army identifies dedicated assembly line, transfer of sensitive equipment
Hezbollah has set up a production and conversion site for precision missiles near the village of al-Nabi Sheeth in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, Israel’s military announced on Tuesday, saying the facility was established in recent years as a site for the production of weapons led by Iran and Hezbollah.
Various activities to facilitate the manufacture and conversion of precision-guided missiles at the facility have lately been identified, including the establishment of a dedicated assembly line for precision weapons, and the transfer of sensitive and dedicated equipment.
“This facility is of superior importance to the Hezbollah precision-missile project, which is why Hezbollah, in fear of strikes, evacuated precious and unique equipment from the compound to civilian locations in Beirut,” the military said.
The facility has a number of machines designed to manufacture the motors and warheads for missiles capable of hitting within 10 meters of their target. Iran, the IDF said, is providing special machinery, trains production operators, and regularly provides guidance and support.
The facility is divided into different sections, including for motor production, quality assurance, logistics and the manufacturing of explosives for warheads.
Last week the IDF announced that Hezbollah – which has been working on the expensive and classified precision-missile project since 2013 – has been attempting to build factories to produce precision missiles in southern Lebanon, Beirut and the Bekaa under the guidance of senior Iranian officers.
Israel was alleged to have struck a base last week belonging to the Palestinian PFLP-GC terrorist group near Qusaya in Lebanon’s Bekaa, close to the border with Syria, causing material damage but no casualties.
Hezbollah has over 130,000 rockets and missiles with varying ranges and payloads. While the group has been working on this project since 2013, they only have several dozen precision missiles.
Meanwhile, the US imposed sanctions on the three Iranian space agencies, the Treasury Department said, as Washington ramped up pressure over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Treasury targeted the Iran Space Agency, Iran Space Research Center and the Astronautics Research Institute, according to a statement on its website.
Reuters contributed to this report.