The Enigmatic Life of Talal Hamieh: Hezbollah's 'Ghost' Leader
Talal Hamieh, known as 'the ghost,' is a significant figure in Hezbollah's military hierarchy. Born in 1952 in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate of Lebanon, he has maintained a life shrouded in secrecy, avoiding public identification and official documentation. His aliases, including 'Talal Hosni' and 'Ismat Mezarani,' reflect his commitment to anonymity and security.
Hamieh's military career began in the mid-1980s, and he quickly became a foundational member of Hezbollah's military structure. He initially worked as an administrative employee at Hariri Airport before fully committing to the organization. His rise through the ranks was marked by his role as deputy to Imad Mughniyeh, the leader of Hezbollah's special missions unit, known as the 'Jihad Network.'
As the commander of Unit 910, Hamieh oversees Hezbollah's external operations against Israel, solidifying his position as a key military strategist within the organization. The United States has designated him a 'global terrorist' due to his involvement in various attacks, including the 1982 bombings targeting US Marines and French forces in Beirut, and has placed a $7 million bounty on information leading to his capture.
