A $7 Million Bounty on Its Leader: What Is Hezbollah’s Most Dangerous Unit, “The Shadow Unit”?

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Security experts suggest that Hezbollah’s response to the assassination of its Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, will come from Unit 910, also known as the “Shadow Unit” within the party.

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Israeli security experts have warned that this unit is ready to target Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide, posing a threat to global Israeli and Jewish targets, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The newspaper cited researchers from the Alma Research Center who explained that the “Shadow Unit” or “Black Unit” has carried out operations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and is capable of launching major retaliatory attacks within a short time frame.

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They added that the unit “successfully carried out retaliatory operations” 32 years ago after the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Abbas Mousawi.

Experts described the unit as one of the militia’s most secretive and dangerous branches, led by Talal Hamiyah, also known as Abu Jaafar, and closely linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Researcher Tal Berry described Unit 910 as “Hezbollah’s primary operational arm for carrying out international attacks.”

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Berry further explained that “the unit operates in a wide range of areas with pre-established terrorist infrastructure ready for immediate action.”

Activities Beyond Lebanon

Tal also noted that the unit played a significant role in the “shadow war” Iran has waged against the West, targeting U.S. security and intelligence institutions as well as civilians.

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The unit participated in several notable attacks, including the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and the Jewish community center in Argentina in 1994.

In 2012, it carried out a suicide bombing on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Burgas, Bulgaria.

According to the newspaper, the unit has maintained complete secrecy in its operations, relying on local Shiite networks and criminal organizations worldwide.

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Agents, who received rigorous security training and often held foreign citizenships, operated under civilian cover and used their connections with Hezbollah sympathizers and foreign governments for logistical and operational purposes.

In recent decades, Unit 910’s activities have primarily focused on South America, Africa, and Asia, although it has also operated in the U.S. and Europe.

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According to American reports, Unit 910 planned attacks on key sites, including John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. The unit’s activities in the U.S. were uncovered when Ali Kourani, a Hezbollah operative arrested in the U.S., revealed the group’s plans to carry out attacks in both the U.S. and Israel.

The Unit’s Leader: Talal Hamiyah

The unit is led by Talal Hamiyah, also known as Ismat Mizarani, who heads Hezbollah‘s External Security Organization, which has organized cells worldwide.

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He is one of the party’s most prominent leaders and oversees critical external operations, such as arms transfers, recruiting cells in various countries, and coordinating overseas operations.

He began his career as an employee at Beirut’s airport before joining Hezbollah in the 1980s, gradually rising through the ranks to his current position.

He is accused by Israel of being behind numerous terrorist operations, including the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and attacks on U.S. and French forces in Lebanon.

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Internationally Wanted

He is internationally wanted, with the Rewards for Justice program offering up to $7 million for information leading to his capture.

The External Security Organization is a Hezbollah element responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing terrorist attacks outside Lebanon, primarily targeting Israelis and Americans.

On September 13, 2012, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Hamiyah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 for supporting Hezbollah’s terrorist activities in the Middle East and worldwide.

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As a result of this designation, all of Hamiyah’s assets within U.S. jurisdiction were frozen, and American citizens were prohibited from conducting any transactions with him.

Additionally, any intentional support of Hezbollah, whether through financial aid or material resources, or conspiring to do so, constitutes a crime under U.S. law, as Hezbollah is classified as a foreign terrorist organization.