Unit 900

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Unit 900 is a specialized division within the Lebanese Shiite political and militant organization Hezbollah. The unit's leader was Khudur Yousef Nader also known as Ezzaddine, who previously oversaw the personal security of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah. [1] [2] [3] It is believed to function as part of Hezbollah's internal security and counterintelligence structure, playing a key role in maintaining the organization's operational secrecy and internal discipline. [4] [5] [3]

Contents

Overview

Unit 900 is commonly referred to as Hezbollah's "Security Unit." Its primary function is to monitor the loyalty and behavior of Hezbollah members and affiliates, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and ideological principles. The unit is tasked with identifying and neutralizing internal threats, such as potential infiltrations by foreign intelligence agencies or dissent within the group's ranks. The unit's activities include monitoring Lebanese state and non-state institutions, such as universities, schools, theaters, media channels, airports, seaports, private banks, and commercial companies. This makes Unit 900 a critical component of Hezbollah's overarching security apparatus. [1] [5] [6] In 2024 the unit was linked to the assassination attempts targeting Donald Trump, while another target according to FBI was Iranian Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. [7] [8]

Responsibilities

The unit's responsibilities include:

Structure and Leadership

Due to the secretive nature of Hezbollah, little is publicly known about the specific structure or leadership of Unit 900. Even so, its leader was known to be Khuder Yusuf Nader – “Izz a-Din”. It is presumed he reports directly to Hezbollah's senior leadership, reflecting the importance of its mission within the organization. The unit is likely composed of highly trusted individuals with significant experience in security and intelligence work. [1] [5]

Notable Activities

Although details about Unit 900's operations are scarce, it is believed to have played a pivotal role in uncovering spies and informants within Hezbollah. Reports suggest that the unit has been successful in countering Israeli intelligence operations targeting Hezbollah's leadership and military capabilities. Unit 900 has also reportedly been involved in monitoring the organization's financial and logistical networks to prevent misuse or exploitation. [1] [2]

In 2024 the unit was linked to the assassination attempts targeting Donald Trump, while another target according to FBI was Iranian Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. [7] [8]

Unit 900's work is characterized by extreme secrecy, making it difficult to obtain verified information about its activities. However, this secrecy is also a challenge for the unit, as it must navigate the complexities of maintaining control over a large and diverse organization while avoiding detection by foreign intelligence services. [1]

External Perception

Unit 900 is perceived by analysts as a vital component of Hezbollah's ability to function as both a political and military entity. Its role in ensuring internal cohesion and operational security contributes to Hezbollah's resilience in the face of external pressures and adversarial campaigns. [1] [4]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sharawi, David Daoud & Ahmad (2024-10-02). "Analysis: The impact of Israeli operations on Hezbollah's organizational structure". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  2. 1 2 "Khudar Yusuf Nader". GFATF | Global Fight Against Terrorism Funding | Live and Let Live. 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  3. 1 2 "Organizational Chart". hezbollah.org. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  4. 1 2 "How Hezbollah holds sway over the Lebanese state | 06 How holding sway is institutionalized and securitized". www.chathamhouse.org. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  5. 1 2 3 Research, Alma (2023-11-27). "Hezbollah's General Staff – The Jihad Council and its main subordinate units". Alma Research and Education Center. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  6. ↑ "Unit 900 (Hezbollah) | CMST". The Center for Monitoring Security Threats (CMST). Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  7. 1 2 Weiser, Benjamin; Barrett, Devlin; Maag, Christopher (2024-11-08). "Iranian Agents Plotted to Kill Trump, U.S. Says in Unsealed Charges". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  8. 1 2 Vick, Karl (2024-09-23). "Iran, Trump, and the Third Assassination Plot". TIME. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
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