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In the name of God, the most Merciful, the Beneficent
Greetings to Martyr Husayn Shalhoub ‘Usama’ who had the greatest role in surveying and planning the Aramta operation in 2000
Victory is from God, an imminent opening, inform the believers
From the series of the glorified days
From the series of The Glorified Days
The special operation of Aramta - 28/4/2000 Directed and Produced by Hassan Abdullah
Here the battle raged
Here the enemy begun to taste defeat and uselessness
Here the fighters blended with the ground, they raised high the flag of the Resistance
Here was the site of Aramta
Aramta base: date of establishment: 1997
Military citizens: secret centre for Aramta leadership
Forces: Infantry forces from the group 10 forces of the south Lebanese army [Lahad]
Number of personnel: 30 soldiers and or leaders
Weapons on site: Hawn 52, 60, 81mm rounds, 12.7mm assault rifles, Armoured Personnel Carriers M113
Overlooks the areas of Areed alZanaar hills, Abu Rikaab Mountain - One of the residents of Aramta
A resident of Aramta:The base that was here was a burden on the country, nobody could walk in the village as they wished
Nor could they freely leave their homes and walk around, there was great anxiety lingering over Aramta
One of the resident of Aramta: What nightmare? The rockets being aimed at Israel now and the fear its invoked on Israel is the same fear we had upon us
It wasn’t a game, it was a very heavy burden
If the smallest of things would happen they would take away the young men and make an example of them
Anyone who would leave the assigned perimeter would get followed
Until he enters their home and if he went once or twice it meant something was up
I wish they were Jewish it would have been better, except that these were [Lebanese] spies and traitors
Abu Ali: the leader of the assault on Aramta position: Aramta was one of the important positions from within the occupied lands
And is surrounded by many areas which provide protection and supply routes
These areas were Beir Kallab, Rayhan barracks, Sujud and Kassarat al Urush
This meant that even thinking of reaching Aramta is a very bold and daring move.
As long as the Resistance attacked the various Zionist positions within the occupied territories
But this time there would be new tactics and strategies employed which had never been used before
This operation needed to deal a heavy blow to the south Lebanon army [Lahad army]
Leading to the capture of the spies and traitors especially in Sujod
Infiltrator Agent who served in Aramta: My name is Marwan El Sheikh, I began serving in Aramta in 1998
I served 7 months in Aramta after which I was restationed to Beir Kallab, I did everything I could to get out of serving
Because I was very aware that at any moment a rocket could hit the bunker that I was guarding
Planning was very precise under the leadership of the Martyr Hajj Emad Moughniyeh
The verdict was decisive by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who ordered that the Aramta base has to be wiped off the map
Abu Ali: “we prepared the infantry forces which would split up into four groups, each group consists of 5 brothers
In addition to an engineering group and we assigned each group as follows
Various artillery shells at Jabal Areed Zanar and heavy assault rifles B10,B9, in Abu Rkab, Tow in Kfar Houna
B10 Commandos given to attack groups whose task was to attack the hideouts
As well as Hawns spread in Aramta and surrounding sites for starting operations from these sites
Sayyed Nasrallah interview: We undertook a psychological war
And we would threaten them in our sermons saying if you do not surrender we will kill you
In the second stage we decided to attack their positions and we studied all the positions and decided upon Aramta position.
Aramta would be the beginning of a string of attacks against agent positions. So we started with Aramta
Usually at the start of all incursions, the Zionist soldiers quickly hide within lowered bunkers within the positions
This in their estimation would increase their chances of survival.
And because this was in disagreement with the decision of the Secretary General
There was a truck filled with over a tonne of explosives which would pass through Kfar Houna
And reach into the inside of the position and explode after liquidating the position prior and retreating from it.
Abu Hassan: The Martyr in charge of driving the VBIED After confirming the reliability of the truck both mechanically and logistically
There was an import step and very tiring and it was to move the truck to Kfar Houna and this had to be done in complete secrecy
At the beginning of the operation I received the approval of Hajj Redwan
And I departed towards the general road to Kfar Houna towards Aramta
While at the same time we don’t want to forget that the truck was very heavy
In addition that any bump on the road or deviation could disable the truck and this meant that driving had to be very precise
I was required to reach Aramta after 11 minutes after the start of the operation
The objective was complex, as the path the truck would take was exposed to the enemy positions and planes.
Regardless, the fighters had a steadfastness and braveness which was greater than any break down.
Therefore the aim was to attack and destroy all the positions which would surround the path of the truck at the same time as the operation on Aramta
Abu Hassan: During the briefing of the operation and specifically the issue of the truck
Hajj Redwan asked that a 12.7 Assault rifle be equipped onto the front of the truck
Such that it was automatically controlled from within the truck to protect me from any danger which I may encounter
Praise be to God I reached the position within the time allocated to me and the Hajj was watching me moment by moment
Because Hajj Redwan was a leader in all senses of the word, the truck was the main objective for him for this operation
So he went to Kfar Houna to watch it himself as it moved towards the position to destroy it.
Yasser: Leader of engineering group: We were tasked with creating an opening through the mines so that the brothers can enter through
This required speed and precision, but praise be to God we fulfilled our objective in the fastest time possible
The second objective was to transport IEDs into the two bunkers of the position and then setting them off after the retreat
We also produced round explosive balls to benefit from it within the tight corridors
To protect the life of the brothers so that they did not need to descend to the lower levels of the corridors
They would throw the bombs into these lower levels in which it would roll into the lower rooms and explode in the rooms that the agents would have hidden within
Abu Elias: Leader of the Brigades in Aramta: After I was informed that I would be taking part in the operation against Aramta I was very happy
To be honest this was to be the first time I would be taking part in such a large and specific operation. I was the leader of my friends and colleagues in the Saraya [Brigade]
Usually our role was support in which we would fire our Hawns, but in this case the task was to enter and occupy a position for the enemy and this was a great thing.
I was reassured because I was joined with my brothers in the Resistance who had high military expertise, so this lifted my spirits.
I wanted to tell everyone that this happiness and this victory had no relation to religion or sect, it has everything to do with the Nation.
During the operation I will never forget the moment which I will forever tell my children and my grandchildren
When I entered the position and stood with the flag of the Brigades in front of me and yelled out loud I've answered your call my Nation, Lebanon, I am at your service oh Nasrallah
[Abu Elias saluting the flag “I have answered your call my Nation, Lebanon, I am at your service oh Nasrallah]
Sheikh Naim Qassem – Hezbollah deputy secretary general: The resistance works to attack and flee, it does not take positions and stay within them
That is it is not an organised military institution and in reality cannot aim to work as an organised military institution
The resistance to enter such a fortified military position and we know the lengths the Israelis go to fortify their bases, this means a complete defeat in all meanings of the word
This has implications on the morale of the soldiers, and leaderships and we started hearing from within the Israeli army those who would fear mentioning the name of Hezbollah
From the scream of Hezbollah, from the single shot, because they believed that Hezbollah would come and enter the position and kill them
In some areas the Israelis would flee even at the first firing of shots
Because the occupation of other positions by Hezbollah convinced them that their base was not enough to protect them only from afar
Adham: Fire support in the close combat group: Our objective was to destroy the bunkers and destroying positions that the support team from far could not see
As well as paving a safe path for the attacking forces to go along, this form of support is very precise and sensitive
Especially since the target we are firing upon was very close to many members of our groups
Hamza: Leader of the Infantry: Our objective was to reach the main bunker at the fastest time possible
Whilst the support groups fired upon it to ensure the enemy could not fire back and form a danger to our brothers
The brothers in the engineering squad formed an opening for us quickly and in less than a minute we reached the surrounding point
We threw a hand grenade within the main bunker and then we started providing cover for the rest of the groups
That started entering and spreading throughout the corridors of the base, and then we raised the flags very high
On the Dawn of 28th of April 2000 everything was ready awaiting the green light to begin the assault;
Support groups;
Assault groups;
The cameras
The IEDs; and the Haydari fists
Friday 28/4/2000 - Aramta position - South Lebanon
The assault groups spread and prepare only metres away from the fence surrounding the position, awaiting the directive to begin the assault.
To all groups - O' Aba Abdillah [signalling the order to begin the assault]
The camera of the military media in the assault group
Engineering unit opens the opening in the field mines
It is predestined that Aramta would have Abu Rkab in the village, a righteous man, entering history from the most honourable of doors.
Everything has become to the fullest, the first goal has been achieved, and there is full control on the site.
Aramta was controlled for 14 minutes without the knowledge of the Israelis until half an hour of the operation
Despite the advanced devices they have and the brothers with the signal corp manoeuvred on the devices giving the illusion to the Israeli enemy
That the Resistance is attacking a group of sites and that these sites were really exposed to shelling’s.
Village of Kfar Houna
The eyes remained negligent as what the secretary wanted to achieve, the vehicle arrived at the site and passed all the stages, the most important result remained which is explosion.
Before the freedom fighter came the driver of the vehicle turned on the signal specific for the explosion from afar.
Aramta village and site - *** trapped car at the time it entered the site
Media war archive – Islamic Resistance 28/4/2000
After the retreat of the groups and before they got a chance to escape for those who remained alive from the infiltrators, the truck exploded.
After 12 minutes, the whole site was flattened to the ground, killing all the members of the site and their bodies remained beneath the rubble.
Abu Hassan: Driver of the *** trapped car: I reached the site, I removed the door with the front of the truck. I stopped the truck in the middle of the site in front of the bedrooms
I turned on the automatic timer which will explode after 11 minutes from arming the vehicle; also for precaution I turned on the device for controlling the explosion from far
And with the call of “O Ali” I came out of the truck and there was a brother next to the passage near me, waiting for me to secure the withdrawal.
We went to the covers and met with the brothers from the attack groups.
Abu Hassan: Driver of the *** trapped truck: I can only say that my whole life is one thing and driving the vehicle for the 11 minutes was another
I was reciting verses from the Quran and dua (supplications), it was as thought my mind remained in the vehicle and I continued looking at the time.
When the 11 minutes was up I closed my eyes with intensity and praise to be to God, I opened them at the strike of a great explosion.
At the time I couldn’t hold myself, I began crying in thanks to God Almighty.
Of course it was a cry of victory, a cry of pride, a cry in the acceptance of the call of his eminence the secretary general (Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah).
Mechanism will explode once you enter site - Military media archives- Islamic resistance 28/4/2000
The moment the rigged truck was detonated within Aramta position - Military media archives- Islamic resistance 28/4/2000
Aramta site after its destruction (28-4-2000)
Sajed – fighter involved in the Aramta storm operation: How is your morale, what do you think of the operation?
This is the day of the Imam of our time and it was delivered by the authorisation of the Imam of our time.
We have in the Quran a verse that states “And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed.” (17:8)
Indeed it was hell for the enemies if God wills and may it be good fortune for all the sites.
How do you value the operation?
The success is 100% clear, the coordination, the incisiveness of the fire, the way of entering, the way of retreat, everything was good, and the best we’ve seen.
It is by the virtue of the wise leadership, they are worthy of the topic.
Infiltrator with Lahad – served at the Aramta site: At the same time of the storm of Aramta I was serving in Beir Kallab
I remember at the time, it was like hell, it was fierce and harsh on us, we felt death was near, I was able to hide in the passageway.
At the time, one of our friends died from the army of Lahad and 2 were injured at the same time. When the bodies of my friends remained in Aramta beneath the rubble for 5 days
And the Israeli army themselves were not able to pull them out, only by the Red Cross recommending with Hezbollah.
After this operation, I decided if I had to shoot myself I would, I don’t want to return to the service.
The Israeli army tried to raise our morale by saying that the hideouts and weapons will increase so that we remain in the service
They weren't able to convince us, we were the ones getting hit, every day we have deaths or injuries until the Israeli army retreated and we finished with this issue all together.
God damn those days
Alaa – freedom fighter in media war: The compliment with the strategy of the Resistance is that the psychological war played a prominent role and on top the pyramid of this war
His eminence the S.G. Hassan. His speeches would frighten the infiltrators, the flash videos, the anthems, it was in conjunction to the path of the elevated operations
Day by day, especially in the last 2 months before the liberation;
The Aramta operation came as an execution, meaning it resulted in the collapse of the army of Lahad, an almost complete collapse.
We as a media war, our role was very big in this area starting from recording the operation where we used more than 17 cameras at numerous sites, Beir Kallab, Rayhan
Reaching the production of flashes and anthems specific to Aramta.
Of course when we say 17 cameras, we have 17 cameras with the cameraman and his required technical equipment
Montage operations take many precise hours because the raw material contains sensitive military and security footage
And at the same time everyone is waiting on the TV to watch the operation
In the Aramta operation we can’t not speak about Hajj Emad (may God be pleased with him),
Hajj would follow every moment and scene of the montage. He would sit in front of the monitor for hours until we finish the operation and it would be ready to be screened on the TV.
I remember at the time of the operation we made a flash called “Today Aramta and tomorrow all the sites.”
This flash specifically which we made, you don’t know how much it frightened the infiltrators and gave them the feeling of no reassurance
And that they are always under the fire of the Resistance and freedom fighters wherever they may be.
We made at the end of the first version of the flash “Today Aramta and tomorrow another time”, Hajj asked that we put “Today Aramta and tomorrow all the sites.”
Group 35 - O' Aba Abdillah!
These infiltrators, murderers and criminals and traitors, they have one of three options in front of them
That they leave with the enemy, or hand themselves in to the Lebanese judiciary, or they will die from the bullets of the resistance fighters.
After the enemy leaves, if you don’t leave with them, we will come for you, but not in peace. We are coming for you with rifles.
Title - Aramta today and tomorrow all the sites
Sheikh Naim Qassem – Hezbollah deputy secretary general: If it were not for the camera, we would not be able to say, that one of the resistance fighters
Raised our flag on an elevated site where Israeli soldiers fled from and we would not be able to say that the Aramta Operation, was a successful operation.
At the end the picture says it all, and the Israeli is unable to deny it, and they always say that the psychological media war was harder on them than anything else
Because the images showed, the Israelis retreating , the advancing of the resistance, the success of the resistance, and the failure of the Israelis
Therefore, currently we don’t need to prove to people, because everyone today knows
That the resistance accomplished great achievements, during its operations and was able to defeat Israel, Thanks be to God.
Abu Ali: the leader of the assault on Aramta postion: After the success of the Aramta operation, especially in the area where the Aysin regiment was located,
It was a very difficult for time infiltrators, where they started tying up the guards on look out duty out of fear.
Location Aramta Number of operations: 36 Losses to the enemy : 6 dead 4 injured Date of defeat : 23-05- 2000
Sayyed Nasrallah interview: In the beginning it was in Aramta In this operation we considered it to be a new approach, compared to the other operations.
And our goal was to attack the enemy soldiers, and psychologically affect them at the highest level and not to inflict more casualties, more than in other operations.
However, the aim of the operation was to destroy the Aramta location completely and this is what happened in the final result.
One of the residents of Aramta: And we are honoured in every way. Our land was liberated by the strength of our own, and not by others.
The biggest problem on our hearts has now gone. And we thanked God for his grace, and God willing they won’t come back, but if they do everyone will be held accountable.
One of the residents of Aramta: By destroying the location, it took a heavy load off our hearts. Today, we opened a new page.
Today, the people are living in full freedom and we thank God, and we thank God for making the resistance victorious. . It helped us and all the area.
God bless those who liberated us.
Salutations first and foremost to the heroic fighters, from the beginning of this resistance
Those who stormed the bunkers, who planted the explosives, who destroyed convoys, who destroyed sites, who killed the leaders of the enemy and the leaders of the infiltrators.