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Source: https://www.ft.com/content/62187b82-f1ee-11e6-8758-6876151821a6
Hizbullah Boosted by Battleground Successes in Syria Conflict
(Financial Times-UK) Erika Solomon and John Reed - "Hizbullah are the number one [regime] fighters in Syria. We never captured a Hizbullah member in the final stages [of the battle for Aleppo]," said Omar Salakho, a rebel commander. Hizbullah "set off on military expeditions far outside their borders and were successful," says an Israeli security consultant. "They did a 180-degree shift from a guerrilla force to an invading force." Growing ties between Hizbullah and Iranian-backed paramilitaries in Iraq, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), has in effect created a roving force that may seek to continue wielding power in the region. That could have ramifications for Sunni states and U.S. allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan, seeking to curb Iran's influence.