Is Hezbollah a terrorist group? Explain.

[Flabbergasted]

Poll question: Is Hezbollah a terrorist group? Explain.

Hezbollah
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hezbollah<1> (Arabic: حزب الله ḥizbu-llāh, <2> literally "party of God") is a Shi'a Islamic political and paramilitary organization based in Lebanon. It follows an Islamist Shi'a ideology developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.<3> <4><5> <6> <7>

Hezbollah first emerged during the Lebanese Civil War as a militia of Shia followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini, trained, organized and funded by a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.<8> Hezbollah's three main goals are to: Eradicate what it views as Western colonialism in Lebanon, punish the Phalangists, and establish an Islamic government in Lebanon.<9>

Hezbollah is often referred to as a radical Islamic group.<10><11><12><13><14><15> It has been accused of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed over 300 American and French peacekeeping troops,<16><3> a charge that it denies. Six countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, officially list Hezbollah or its external security arm as a terrorist organization. Most in the Arab and Muslim worlds regard Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance movement.<3>

Hezbollah has popular support in Shi'a Lebanese society<17> and has mobilized demonstrations of hundreds of thousands.<11><18><19> In addition Hezbollah receives arms, training, and financial support from Iran<20><21> and has "operated with Syria's blessing" since the end of the Civil War.<22><23> Hezbollah, which started only with a militia, has grown to an organization which has seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television station, and programs for social development.<24> Since 1992 the organization has been headed by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its Secretary-General.