Unit 121 (Hezbollah)

Unit 121 is Hezbollah's covert assassination squad, tasked with executing targeted killings and operations. Historically, the unit operated directly under the guidance of the group's secretary-general Hassan Nassrallah, and is backed by Iran.

History

According to MENA, the assassination method in Lebanon is connected directly to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the 1979 revolution. Since then, Lebanon has known numerous assassinations that included political figures, journalists, influencial people and more. This method proved useful in eliminating political and influential rivals, while terrorising other opponents and the local population. This lead Hezbollah to create Unit 121, that is backed by Iran and using it as part of its strategy to silence people and voices oposing its millitant and political entity in and outside of Lebanon. The latest known leader of the unit, was Salim Ayyash, who was sentenced by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for being a leading figure in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005. Ayyash, who was a high-ranking officer and unit leader, answering to Hassan Nasrallah himself, was killed in 2024 airstrike by the Israeli army during the Israel–Hezbollah conflict.

Key members

Salim Ayyash

Salim Ayyash was one of the unit's key members and high-ranked officers, answering to Hassan Nasrallah himself. He became notorious for the assassination of Lebanon's PM Rafic Hariri, of which he was sentenced by a UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon in absentia to five life terms. According to the IDF, Ayyash was killed in a Israeli airstike in 2024 while staying in Damascus.

Mustafa Badreddine

Mustafa Badreddine was a senior Hezbollah officer. In addition of being the cousine and brother in-law of Imad Mughniyeh, he served under him for many years as his nost trusted associate. Later he took his role as the head of Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. It is said he was behind and took part in some of Hezbollah's most notorious operations that include the Beirut and Kuwait bombings and the assassination of Rafic Hariri. He was killed in 2016 in a bombing near Damascus International Airport.

Hassan Habib Merhi

Hassan Habib Merhi, was born 12 December 1965 in Lebanon. He was a leading member of Unit 121. It was proiven that Hassan was among the leading figures who planned the assassination of Lebanese PM Rafic Hariri. He was found guilty for his part in the assassination at the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Hussein Hassan Oneissi

Hussein Hassan Oneissi, born February 11, 1974. Oneissi was one of the key members heading Unit 121 who played a major role in the planning and assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. On June 20, 2020 he was sentenced in absenti at the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon for life imprisonment and international arrest warrants were issued against him.

Methods

Since Unit 121 was created it had commited countless assassinations, targeting Lebanese politicians, influencers, journalists, military and public figures. Its structure is based top secret classification and operation, where most agents are not aware one of the others identities and roles. This is done so if one member is caught, he will not compremie other members within the unit. One of the most common method of executing their assassinations was using remote detonation, mainly of the victims car. Another main method the unit used to execute assassinations was using car bombings. Over the years the Unit has executed several suicide bombings within Lebanon. The least method the unit has executed is the use of gunmen, there were very few assassination executed that way, maybe the most notable one is the recent assassination of Loqman Slim.

Notable assassinations

Housen Mroue

Housen Mroue, a Lebanese journalist and co-founder of ''Al-Hayat'' newspaper, was assassinated on February 24, 1987, in Beirut when gunmen entered his office and shot him. Known for his secular and leftist views, Mroue was a vocal critic of extremism and sectarianism. His killing highlighted the dangers faced by journalists during Lebanon’s civil war and the targeting of those promoting progressive ideas.

Hassan Hamdan

Hassan Hamdan, known as Mahdi Amel, a prominent Lebanese Marxist intellectual and member of the Lebanese Communist Party, was assassinated on May 18, 1987, in Beirut by unidentified gunmen. Renowned for his critiques of sectarianism and imperialism, Hamdan was a key figure in advancing progressive thought during Lebanon’s civil war. His assassination was seen as an attempt to silence voices advocating for social and political change.

Daoud Daoud

Daoud Daoud, a senior Lebanese Army officer and former commander of the Arab Deterrent Forces in southern Lebanon, was assassinated on September 22, 1988, in Sidon. He was killed alongside two other officers during a period of intense conflict involving various militias and regional powers. Daoud’s assassination reflected the volatile security environment in southern Lebanon amid ongoing struggles for control and influence.

Marwan Hamadeh

Marwan Hamadeh, a Lebanese politician and critic of Syrian influence, survived an assassination attempt on October 1, 2004, when a car bomb targeted his convoy in Beirut. The attack killed his bodyguard and injured several others, intensifying tensions over Syria's role in Lebanon. The incident is often linked to the wave of political violence preceding Rafiq Hariri’s assassination by Hezbollah.

Rafik Hariri

Rafiq Hariri, a former Lebanese Prime Minister, was assassinated on February 14, 2005, in Beirut through a massive truck bomb that killed him and 21 others. The attack sparked widespread protests and political upheaval, leading to Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon after being widely accused of involvement. In 2020, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash, a major Hezbollah operative in absentia for orchestrating the assassination.

Samir Kassir

Samir Kassir, a prominent Lebanese journalist and outspoken critic of Syrian influence, was assassinated on June 2, 2005, in Beirut when a bomb planted in his car exploded. His death shocked the nation and was seen as part of a broader campaign of political violence targeting critics of Syria. Kassir’s assassination intensified calls for justice and accountability in Lebanon’s turbulent political climate.

Hassan sbayti

Hassan Sbayti, a prominent Lebanese journalist and editor of ''Al-Diyar'' newspaper, was assassinated on June 19, 2005, in Beirut when a car bomb exploded near his vehicle. Sbayti was known for his critical reporting on political corruption and his opposition to Syrian influence in Lebanon. His assassination was part of a broader campaign of violence targeting journalists and political figures advocating for change in the country.

George Hawi

George Hawi, a former leader of the Lebanese Communist Party and vocal critic of Syrian influence, was assassinated on June 21, 2005, in Beirut when a bomb detonated under his car. His killing followed a pattern of attacks targeting prominent anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon. Hawi's assassination deepened political divisions and fueled demands for an end to foreign interference in Lebanese affairs.

Elias Murr

Elias Murr, Lebanon’s defense minister at the time, survived an assassination attempt on July 12, 2005, when a car bomb exploded near his convoy in Antelias, killing one person and injuring several others. Murr, known for his complex political ties and efforts to stabilize Lebanon, was critically wounded but recovered. The attack was part of a series of violent incidents targeting prominent figures amid heightened political tensions in the country.

Gebran Tueni

Gebran Tueni, a prominent Lebanese journalist and editor of ''An-Nahar'' newspaper, was assassinated on December 12, 2005, in Beirut when a car bomb targeted his vehicle. A vocal critic of Syrian influence, Tueni had been a key figure in the Cedar Revolution, which sought to end Syrian dominance in Lebanon. His assassination further escalated tensions and was widely seen as part of a string of politically motivated killings by Hezbollah and its supporters targeting anti-Syrian voices.

Pierre Amine Gemayel

Pierre Amine Gemayel, a Lebanese politician and member of the Kataeb Party, was assassinated on November 21, 2006, near Beirut when gunmen ambushed his convoy. A staunch opponent of Syrian influence in Lebanon, his killing occurred amid political turmoil and was seen as an attack on the country’s pro-independence movement. Gemayel’s assassination deepened the crisis between rival political factions and fueled fears of renewed civil strife.

Antoine Ghanem

Antoine Ghanem, a Lebanese politician and member of the Kataeb Party, was assassinated on September 19, 2007, in Beirut when a car bomb exploded near his vehicle. Known for his opposition to Syrian influence, his killing came just days before a critical presidential election. Ghanem's assassination underscored the ongoing campaign of political violence targeting anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon.

Ali Ramez Tohme

Ali Ramez Tohme, a prominent Lebanese figure, survived an assassination attempt on Septmeber 2005, just after publishing a book about Rafic Hariri. This attempt links up to Hezbollah and the ongoing political or sectarian tensions in Lebanon. The incident highlights the broader climate of violence and instability that has affected the country.

May Chidiac

May Chidiac, a Lebanese television journalist, survived an assassination attempt on September 25, 2005, when a car bomb exploded near her vehicle, severing her arm and causing severe injuries. Known for her outspoken stance against Syrian influence in Lebanon, she became a symbol of resilience and defiance. The attack was part of a series of politically motivated killings targeting pro-independence voices in Lebanon.

Samir Shehadeh

Samir Shehadeh, a senior Lebanese intelligence officer, survived an assassination attempt on September 5, 2006, when a roadside bomb targeted his convoy near Sidon, killing four of his bodyguards. Known for his role in investigating high-profile assassinations, Shehadeh was a key figure in Lebanon’s security apparatus. The attack was widely seen as part of efforts to intimidate those pursuing justice for political killings in Lebanon.

Walid Eido

Walid Eido, a Lebanese politician and member of the Future Movement, was assassinated on June 13, 2007, in Beirut when a bomb exploded near his convoy. Known for his opposition to Syrian influence and his support for Lebanese independence, Eido's killing occurred during a period of escalating political and sectarian tensions. His assassination was widely attributed to attempts to undermine Lebanon's pro-independence movement.

Francois Elias Hajj

Francois Elias Hajj, a senior Lebanese Army officer, was assassinated on December 12, 2007, when a car bomb exploded near his vehicle in the Beirut suburb of Baabda. Hajj was known for his role in stabilizing Lebanon amid rising sectarian tensions and violent confrontations. His assassination was seen as an attempt to destabilize the Lebanese military and the country’s fragile political situation.

Wissam Eid

Wissam Eid, a Lebanese intelligence officer, was assassinated on January 25, 2008, when a car bomb exploded in Beirut, killing him and several others. Eid, known for his work in counterterrorism and his efforts to uncover terrorist networks, was a key figure in Lebanon's security services. His assassination was widely seen as an attempt to weaken Lebanon's intelligence capabilities and destabilize the country's security apparatus.

Wissam al Hassan

Wissam al-Hassan, a prominent Lebanese intelligence chief, was assassinated on October 19, 2012, in a car bomb explosion in Beirut. Al-Hassan was known for his role in exposing Syrian-backed militant networks and his efforts to combat terrorism in Lebanon. His killing was seen as a significant blow to Lebanon’s security forces and further fueled tensions between pro-Syrian and anti-Syrian factions.

Mohamad Chatah

Mohamad Chatah, a former Lebanese finance minister and outspoken critic of Hezbollah and Syrian influence, was assassinated on December 27, 2013, in Beirut when a car bomb targeted his convoy. Chatah’s death occurred amid escalating political tensions and was widely seen as an attempt to silence opposition voices. His assassination underscored the dangers faced by political figures advocating for sovereignty and reform in Lebanon.

Antoine Dagher

Antoine Dagher, a Lebanese Army officer, was assassinated on January 20, 2014, when a car bomb exploded in the town of Qahaleh, east of Beirut. Dagher, who was the head of the Army’s Intelligence Division in Mount Lebanon, had been involved in efforts to curb sectarian violence. His assassination highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Lebanon and the increasing targeting of military officials.

Joe Bejjani

Joe Bejjani, a Lebanese journalist and activist, was assassinated on June 11, 2020, when gunmen shot him in the town of Zouk Mikael, north of Beirut. Bejjani, known for his vocal criticism of political corruption and his advocacy for reform, was targeted amidst a climate of growing political and economic unrest in Lebanon. His assassination sparked concerns about the safety of outspoken figures in the country during a period of heightened instability

2020 Beirut explosion

The 2020 Beirut explosion occurred on August 4 when a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in the port detonated, causing widespread destruction, over 200 deaths, and thousands of injuries. The blast devastated entire neighborhoods and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. It sparked national outrage over government negligence and corruption, leading to widespread protests and the resignation of Lebanon's cabinet.

Luqman Slim

Luqman Slim, a prominent Lebanese activist and outspoken critic of Hezbollah, was assassinated on February 4, 2021. His body was found in southern Lebanon with gunshot wounds, sparking widespread condemnation and allegations of political motives. The killing highlighted growing threats to dissenting voices in Lebanon but remains officially unsolved. His sister, Rasha al-Amir stated her brother got threats from Hezbollah.