Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have launched a campaign against the
Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah, deemed a major ally of President Bashar Assad.

The rebel Free Syrian Army has reported attacks on Hizbullah bases in
both Lebanon and Syria. FSA said this marked the first time Hizbullah
compounds were bombed in the nearly two-year civil war in Syria.

“We are giving Hizbullah 48 hours to withdraw its forces or we will
attack,” FSA Chief of Staff Gen. Salim Idris said.

On Feb. 21, FSA battled Hizbullah forces along the Lebanese-Syrian
border, including the Lebanese town of Hermel. Rebel sources said Hizbullah has been placed on high alert around eight villages along the border.

Sunni rebels have identified Hizbullah as a leading pro-Assad force in
the civil war. They said Hizbullah has brought at least 1,000 fighters from Lebanon to Syria in 2013, and they were participating in Syrian Army and Shabiha operations in central and southern Syria.

In late February, rebels said they killed 43 Hizbullah fighters. Rebel
sources said Hizbullah has recruited Alawite officers in the Syrian Army to bolster the Shi’ite force in Lebanon and Syria.

“Hizbullah is particularly interested in officers who are highly
experienced in the use of Russian-made weapons systems such as long-range
rockets and surface-to-air missiles,” Israeli [Res.] Brig. Gen. Shimon
Shapira said. “Hizbullah’s initiative has been coordinated with the Quds
Force, which is responsible for the training of Hizbullah’s forces in
Lebanon and Iran.”

  Bashar Assad, Brig. Gen. Shimon Shapira, Free Syrian Army, Hermel, Lebanon, Shabiha, Syrian rebels take aim at Hizbullah targets along border and in Lebanon