In Lebanon, Jihadists Lash Out at Iran and Hezbollah

The twin bombings Nov. 19 in Beirut are likely the jihadists' response to heavy Hezbollah and Iranian involvement in the Syrian civil war on the side of the al Assad regime. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group in the Levant region, claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings on the Iranian Embassy and ambassador's residence in Beirut. But rather than deter Hezbollah and Iran from reinforcing the Syrian regime, the attack will only strengthen their desire to regain control of Syria's strategic Qalamoun area, which borders Lebanon and overlooks the critical M5 highway.

Iran and Hezbollah's heightened offensive in Syria following the Beirut bombings will strain the ongoing dialogue between the United States and Iran and further divide Hezbollah and Lebanese Sunnis, who are already locked in trying negotiations to form a new government. However, Iran is unlikely to allow such provocations to divert the focus of its negotiations with Washington.