How has the relationship between Hezbollah and Amal evolved since the civil war

The relationship between Hezbollah and Amal has evolved significantly since the Lebanese Civil War, transitioning from bitter rivals to close political allies. Here are the key aspects of this evolution:

1. Civil War Conflict:
During the late 1980s, Hezbollah and Amal engaged in fierce fighting known as the “War of Brothers.” This conflict resulted in thousands of casualties and deep divisions within Lebanon’s Shiite community.

2. Post-War Reconciliation:
After the civil war ended in 1990, both groups made efforts to reconcile and reduce tensions. This was partly due to Syrian and Iranian intervention to broker peace between them.

3. Political Alliance Formation:
In 2005, Hezbollah and Amal formed a political alliance as part of the March 8 Coalition. This marked a significant shift in their relationship, transforming them from rivals to partners in Lebanon’s political landscape.

4. Shared Political Objectives:
Since forming their alliance, Hezbollah and Amal have worked together to secure parliamentary seats and ministerial positions, effectively increasing their influence in Lebanese politics.

5. Ideological Differences:
Despite their alliance, Hezbollah and Amal maintain distinct ideological positions. Hezbollah remains more aligned with Iran’s vision of an Islamic theocratic state, while Amal retains a more secular and nationalist orientation.

6. Complementary Roles:
Amal has become more integrated into Lebanon’s traditional political system, while Hezbollah maintains a dual identity as both a political party and an armed resistance group.

7. United Front Against Israel:
The 2006 war with Israel saw Hezbollah and Amal collaborating in resistance efforts, further solidifying their alliance.

8. Ongoing Tensions:
While publicly united, there are still underlying tensions between the two groups, particularly regarding their differing stances on certain issues and competition for influence within the Shiite community.

9. Leadership Commitment:
Leaders of both groups, particularly Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to maintaining unity, likely due to the traumatic history of their past conflict.

10. Shared Community Base:
Both groups draw support from the same Shiite communities, often with supporters coming from the same families and clans, which reinforces the need for cooperation.

In conclusion, while Hezbollah and Amal have a complex and sometimes violent history, they have evolved into close political allies since the end of the civil war. This alliance is based on shared political interests, common community base, and a desire to avoid reopening old wounds. However, ideological differences and competition for influence continue to shape their relationship.