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Ibrahim Aqil (Arabic: ابراهيم عقيل), also known as Al-Hajj Tahsin or by his alias Al-Hajj Abdul Khader, is a Lebanese military figure and senior official in Hezbollah. He is a member of the Jihad Council, which oversees the military and security operations of the organization, and is thought to lead Hezbollah's special operation's unit, the Redwan Force.

In the 1980s, Aqil was a key figure in the Hezbollah-affiliated group responsible for the 1983 US embassy bombing and 1983 Beirut barracks bombings. On July 21, 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Aqil under Executive Order 13582 for his role in supporting Hezbollah. In September 2019, the U.S. Department of State listed him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The Rewards for Justice Program has offered up to $7 million for information leading to his capture.

In 2023, Aqil was reported to be the commander of the Redwan Force, a special unit whose mission is to infiltrate the territory of Israel. He was thought to be the deputy of Fuad Shukr, the commander of Hezbollah's military wing.

Biography

In the 1980s, Aqil was a key figure in the Islamic Jihad Organization, a militia group affiliated with Hezbollah. The organization carried out the 1983 US embassy bombing in Beirut, killing 63 people, and the attacks on the multinational force bases in Beirut that resulted in the deaths of 305 people. During the 1980s, Aqil was responsible for the kidnapping of American and German hostages.

On February 4, 2000, during the South Lebanon conflict, AH-64 Apache helicopters fired AGM-114 Hellfire missiles at Aqil's car in the village of Barish, where he was serving as Hezbollah's commander of the South Lebanon sector (or the western sector in South Lebanon). The first missile struck the rear of the car and threw him out. He escaped and hid behind a building. The second missile destroyed the car. After being spotted hiding, another missile was fired at him and hit the wall. Aqil was lightly injured and managed to escape the incident.

In the summer of 2006, during the Second Lebanon War, Aqil was responsible for coordinating intelligence between Hezbollah and the Syrian army.

In September 2006, while serving as the head of Hezbollah's security and intelligence services, the *Intelligence Online* reported that Aqil was one of three Hezbollah operatives, along with Hassan Nasrallah and Mustafa Badreddine, who visited North Korea for several months during the 1980s and early 1990s for training.

On July 21, 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Aqil as closely tied to Hezbollah's leadership and acting on its behalf, along with other senior figures in the organization—Mustafa Badreddine, Fuad Shukr, and Abd al-Nur Shalaan. He was identified as playing a key role in Hezbollah's military campaign in Syria by assisting the organization's fighters and pro-Syrian regime forces against Syrian opposition forces in battles across Syria. Aqil has also been sought through several 'Red Notices' by Interpol, documenting his long history with the organization, including involvement in the kidnapping and holding of two German citizens as hostages in the late 1980s and the bombing campaign in Paris in 1986.

In May 2016, following the assassination of Mustafa Badreddine, Aqil was one of two candidates (alongside Fuad Shukr) considered to succeed him as Hezbollah's Chief of Staff. Some consider him the de facto Chief of Staff of Hezbollah (though others have identified Fuad Shukr in this role).

On September 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. On April 18, 2023, the Rewards for Justice program offered a reward of up to $7 million for information about him.

Aqil currently serves as the head of Hezbollah's operations and is responsible for the Redwan Force, among other things, in the Sword of Iron war. He also leads Hezbollah's tunnel project in Lebanon.

Assassination targeting

On September 20, 2024, Israeli forces carried out a targeted strike in a building in the Dahieh suburb of Beirut, reportedly aimed at Aqil, according to Lebanese security sources. The Israeli military confirmed the attack targeted Aqil, but did not provide further details on Aqil's status.

References

1. ^ "Israel identifies Hezbollah's Ibrahim Aqil as head of the deadly Radwan unit". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
2. ^ "Ibrahim Aqil – Rewards For Justice". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
3. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Iran orders Hezbollah to target Saudi Arabia". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
4. ^ "Ibrahim Aqil – Rewards For Justice". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
5. Beeri, Tal (5 January 2023). "The Radwan Unit ("Radwan Force" - Unit 125)". Alma Research and Education Center. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
6. אדלסון, דניאל; יורק, ניו; אייכנר, איתמר (2023-04-18). "סוחר האמנות שמממן את חיזבאללה, ופרס המיליונים על ראשו של רב המחבלים". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-09-20.
7. "למרות המתיחות בצפון: 12 אלף מבקרים בסוף השבוע בחרמון - וואלה חדשות". וואלה (in Hebrew). 2000-02-04. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
8. "אף מילה על ישראל". ynet (in Hebrew). 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
9. USA, IBP (2013-08). Korea North Economic & Development Strategy Handbook Volume 1 Startegic Information and Developments. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-4330-2812-0. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. ^ "שקט מדומה: כך צמח ארגון הטרור הרצחני בצפון". mako. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
11. "Israel targeted top Hezbollah figure in Beirut strike, sources say". Reuters. 2024-09-20.
12. "إعلام إسرائيلي: إبراهيم عقيل المستهدف في غارة الضاحية هو قائد العمليات الخاصة بحزب الله (العربية) ..أخر المستجدات". برس بي (in Arabic). 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-20.

• Hezbollah
• Lebanese Islamists
• Lebanese Shia Muslims
• People of the Lebanese Civil War