Beyond Sectarianism: Hezbollah and the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood’s Evolving Alliance in the Context of the Al-Aqsa Flood

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 1 , 36 - 53 , 15.06.2025

Talha İsmail Duman

https://doi.org/10.17335/sakaifd.1642480

https://izlik.org/JA26XC97AD

Öz

This article examines the historical and evolving relationship between Hezbollah and Jama’a al-Islamiyya, the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, with a particular focus on the military collaboration between Hezbollah and Jama’a al-Islamiyya’s armed wing, the Fajr Forces, following the October 2023 Al-Aqsa Flood operation. While ideological and sectarian differences exist between the Shia Hezbollah and Sunni Jama’a al-Islamiyya, these groups had previously cooperated. However, following Lebanon’s growing political polarization after 2005, they began aligning with opposing political camps, and these divisions became even more apparent with the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach, drawing on media analyses, official statements, and academic literature to investigate the political and strategic factors enabling this renewed cooperation. Key drivers include the shared perception of Israel as a common threat, leadership transitions within Jama’a al-Islamiyya that reduced Saudi influence, and Hamas-mediated dialogue that helped facilitate this coordination. Contrary to sectarian-based interpretations, the findings show that this partnership reflects how political and military needs can override sectarian reflexes. It does not signal ideological convergence but rather a willingness to cross sectarian boundaries under certain conditions. The article also contributes to broader discussions on sectarianization and de-sectarianization by illustrating how political actors often shape and redefine sectarian identities in the Middle East in response to changing geopolitical realities. In this context, the Hezbollah–Fajr Forces cooperation offers a compelling example of how cross-sectarian alliances can emerge in dynamic conflict environments and reshape local political-military landscapes.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Middle Eastern Studies , Hezbollah , Jama’a al-Islamiyya , Lebanon , Sectarianism , Fajr Forces

Mezhep Sınırlarını Aşan İttifak: Hizbullah ve Lübnan Müslüman Kardeşler Hareketi’nin Aksa Tufanı Bağlamında İş Birliği

https://izlik.org/JA26XC97AD

Öz

Bu makale Hizbullah ile Müslüman Kardeşler’in Lübnan kolu olan Cemaat-i İslamiyye arasındaki tarihsel ilişkileri, Aksa Tufanı Operasyonu bağlamında ortaya çıkan Hizbullah ile Cemaat-i İslamiyye’nin silahlı kanadı olan Fecr Kuvvetleri arasındaki askeri iş birliğine odaklanarak incelemektedir. Hizbullah ve Cemaat-i İslamiyye arasındaki ideolojik ve mezhepsel farklılıklara rağmen, bu hareketler geçmişte birlikte hareket etme iradesi göstermişti. Ancak 2005 yılından sonra Lübnan’da artan siyasi kutuplaşmayla birlikte karşıt siyasi kamplarda yer almaya başladılar ve bu ayrılık Suriye İç Savaşı’nın patlak vermesiyle daha da belirgin hale geldi. Çalışma, 7 Ekim sonrası yenilenen bu işbirliğini mümkün kılan siyasi ve stratejik faktörleri araştırmak için medya haberlerinden /analizlerinden, resmî açıklamalardan ve akademik literatürden yararlanarak nitel bir vaka çalışması yaklaşımını benimsemektedir. Söz konusu iş birliğini mümkün kılan temel etkenler arasında İsrail’in ortak bir tehdit olarak algılanmasının, Suudi Arabistan etkisini azaltan Cemaat-i İslamiyye içindeki liderlik değişiminin ve koordinasyonu kolaylaştırmaya yardımcı olan Hamas’ın aracılık ettiği diyaloğun yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Mezhep temelli okumaların aksine, bulgular, bu iş birliğinin siyasi ve askeri ihtiyaçların mezhepsel reflekslerin önüne nasıl geçebileceğini yansıttığını göstermektedir. Bu ortaklık, ideolojik bir yakınlaşmaya değil, belirli koşullar altında mezhep sınırlarını aşma isteğine işaret etmektedir. Makale, aynı zamanda, Ortadoğu’da mezhepsel kimliklerin değişen jeopolitik gerçeklikler karşısında siyasi aktörler tarafından nasıl şekillendirildiğini ve yeniden tanımlandığını göstererek, “mezhepleştirme” ve “mezhepleştirmeden arın(dır)ma” konusundaki daha geniş tartışmalara katkıda bulunmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, Hizbullah-Fecr Kuvvetleri iş birliği, dinamik çatışma ortamlarında farklı mezhepsel gruplar arası ittifakların nasıl ortaya çıkabileceğine ve yerel siyasi-askeri manzaraları nasıl yeniden şekillendirebileceğine dair ilgi çekici bir örnek sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Orta Doğu Çalışmaları , Hizbullah , Cemaat-i İslami , Lübnan , Mezhepçilik , Fecr Kuvvetleri

Kaynakça

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