The United States and several Western giants have been controlling the armament of the Lebanese Army for years, systematically ensuring that all development opportunities, obtaining needed technologies, and enhancing their combat and military skills to fight and confront the Israeli occupation are obsolete. 

Retired Lebanese colonel and military expert Nidal Zahwi spoke to Sputnik about how the collective West historically barely armed the Lebanese Armed Forces so as to prevent them from defending against the Israeli occupation forces, rendering their ability to defend Lebanon's sovereignty almost negligible.

Zahwi noted, however, that the Lebanese Army wants to defend its lands and wants to protect the country's sovereignty, but does not possess the tools that would help them, including viable air defense, which forces them to remain reactive in place. 

This is due to the United States' deep and major involvement in blocking access to aviation and air defenses to reduce any threat that could face its most strategic ally in the Middle East, the Israeli occupation, making Washington the "guarantor" of the Israeli regime in the region. 

The impact of the economic crisis

He also addressed the implications of the 2019 economic crisis in Lebanon, which further exacerbated the state of inability among the Lebanese Armed Forces. 

According to Zahwi, authorities tried to resort to Russia and Iran to help keep the army equipped, trained, and developed but were unable to secure any funds that would guarantee or help the force maintain its weapons. 

The Lebanese Army officers, furthermore, led a very prestigious life before the economic crisis came crashing down on their livelihood. As a result, their salaries were drastically reduced, which prompted them to turn to other jobs to attain an ordinary lifestyle. 

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For example, Zahwi says a colonel in his position was paid at least $3,500 before the crisis. Right now, the salary stands at $300. 

Army punished for doing its job

The expert also states that the United States views the Lebanese army as an extension or part of its broader military presence in the region, stressing that one of the largest US bases in the Mediterranean is located in the Hamat region of northern Lebanon.

The US fortress was reportedly illegitimately spawned in Lebanon "without official coordination with the Lebanese authorities and without the official approval of the head of state, but simply on the basis of closed agreements with a group of Lebanese army commanders."

Zahwi also emphasized the extent of the Lebanese Army's dependence on the US, citing an incident during which a Lebanese guard opened fire against an Israeli drone violating Lebanese airspace and invading the border a few years back. 

"The American side then froze the supply of 5.65 caliber ammunition to the Lebanese army for almost two years," he revealed, further concluding that "The Lebanese army has no forces or means to resist Israeli ground intervention. Israeli military technology is completely superior to that of Lebanon."

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon

On October 1, the Israeli occupation decided to initiate a ground invasion of Lebanese territories while simultaneously relentlessly bombing the South, Bekaa, and Beirut's Southern Suburb. 

The Washington Post underscored how the Israeli occupation's aggression on Lebanon has been "the most intense and deadly in decades." Almost 2,000 people have been killed with over 9,000 others injured, while forced displacement rates keep rising to surpass the current one million individuals. 

As the army is essentially forced to be absent, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah - has defended the homeland against any Israeli incursions and threats. Its fighters have been tirelessly operating across several confrontation axes on the border, thwarting all invasion attempts, while simultaneously targeting Israeli military bases in border settlements and deep within occupied territories. 

On Friday, a statement published by the Resistance's military media revealed that "Over the past few days, since the Israeli army announced the start of its ground operation toward the villages of southern Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance has recorded more than 25 officers and soldiers killed among the ranks of the enemy elite, with over 130 wounded." 

The number of Israeli casualties has starkly risen since, as the Resistance continued to execute ambushes against invading Israeli troops.