US, Europe sound alarm over Hezbollah's efforts to expand overseas footprint

Al Arabiya

4 days ago

The United States and Europol led a meeting this week with representatives from 30 governments to address efforts to counter Hezbollah's international fundraising networks and warn that the group remains a dangerous threat.
The State Department, Justice Department, and Europol convened the 14th meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group (LECG) on July 9–10 to focus on Hezbollah's terrorist and illicit activities. The US Treasury Department and the National Counterterrorism Center also participated.
Despite suffering significant setbacks over the past year during its war with Israel -- including the deaths of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, his successor, and much of the group's senior leadership -- the LECG said Hezbollah continues to seek ways to maintain and grow its overseas operations.
The group retains the 'ability to strike with little to no warning against targets around the world,' according to a statement from the State Department, which added that Hezbollah may seek to expand its fundraising and procurement efforts in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and other regions.
'Participants highlighted recent actions that governments have taken to counter Hezbollah's financial mechanisms and criminal schemes, as well as its international terrorist operations,' the statement read.
The LECG was established in 2014 by the US and Europol to strengthen international cooperation against Hezbollah's global network.