Mohammad Haidar (in Arabic: مُحَمَّد حيدر, born 25 November 1959), also known as Abu Ali Haidar,[1] is a Lebanese politician and senior leader in Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, which oversees the organization’s activities, including recruitment, training, and security.[2]
In September 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Haidar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, imposing sanctions that freeze his assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him.[3]
Biography
Mohammad Haidar was elected to the Lebanese Parliament in 2004, representing Hezbollah, and served as a member until 2009.[4][5] During this time, he was also a senior figure within Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, overseeing military operations and appointing leaders to various units.[2] Following the assassination of Hezbollah’s international operations chief, Imad Mughniyah, in 2008, Haidar emerged as one of the organization's top military leaders.[6] His influence further solidified after the death of another key figure, Mustafa Badreddine, in 2016.[6]
On September 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Haidar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.[2] This designation froze his assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibited U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him.[2] The U.S. government described Haidar as a pivotal figure in Hezbollah’s military operations, emphasizing his role in maintaining the group’s global networks.[2] This move was part of a broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah by targeting its leadership and financial infrastructure.[7]
On August 25, 2019, Lebanese media reported that two Israeli drones crashed in Beirut's southern Dahieh neighborhood under Hezbollah's control.[8] The Lebanese newspaper Nidaa Al-Watan had previously reported that Israel was planning to assassinate Muhammad Haydar.[8]
On November 23, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in the Basta area of Beirut's Central District. The attack resulted in at least 29 fatalities and left 67 others injured, including women.[9][10][11] He was reportedly not present in the building.[12]
