Australia classified Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization" on Wednesday, expanding the sanctions that previously only applied to the military wing of the armed Shiite group, which controls a large part of Lebanon, to include its political wing and civil institutions. Interior Minister Karen Andrews stated that the Iran-backed armed organization "continues to threaten to carry out terrorist attacks and provides support to terrorist organizations," posing a "real" and "reliable" threat to Australia.
Hezbollah as a whole is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States, unlike its status in other countries, which have only listed its military wing without imposing sanctions on its political wing, fearing that such a move could complicate their relations with Lebanese authorities. The Shiite faction, represented in the parliament, is also the only Lebanese armed organization that did not abandon its military arsenal at the end of the civil war (1975-1990). Hezbollah possesses a powerful militia supported by Iran with money and weapons, and the Islamic Republic does not hesitate to use this military strength in proxy wars in the region.
Under the new decision, membership in or funding of Hezbollah is prohibited in Australia, which has a large Lebanese community. The Australian Interior Minister did not clarify the reasons behind this decision, which comes at a time when Lebanon is engulfed in a deep economic and political crisis. Approximately 80% of Lebanon's population lives below the poverty line amid high inflation rates and shortages of medicine and fuel, with severe power rationing, while the government is gradually lifting subsidies on medicines and fuel.
Additionally, Andrews announced the inclusion of the far-right group "The Base" on Australia’s list of terrorist organizations. The minister stated that "this violent and racist neo-Nazi group is known by security agencies to be planning and preparing to carry out terrorist attacks."
