What is the Amal Movement, Lebanon’s other Shia party?

Beirut, Lebanon – As Israel’s war on Lebanon passes the 100-day mark , the partnership between the country’s two main Shia blocs – the Amal Movement and the Hezbollah armed and political group – appears firm.

The Amal Movement, led by Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, has historically been the key domestic ally of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. But a parallel track of negotiations between the US and Iran on the one hand, and Israel and Lebanon on the other, has seen Tehran’s support for its regional proxies has come under the spotlight, which could have serious implications for Hezbollah.

It is unlikely that Amal will abandon its close relations with Hezbollah anytime soon, but the movement’s representation in parliament, and Berri’s important constitutional role, mean it could consolidate its role as patron of the Shia community within state institutions. But Souhayb Jawhar, a Lebanese analyst with Badil, sees that the uncertain future Lebanon currently faces means there will be fundamental implications for both Hezbollah and Amal’s futures.

“In practice, Amal has been the most prominent political and institutional representative of the Shia within the Lebanese state for years, even during the height of Hezbollah’s power,” Jawhar told Al Jazeera.

“If Hezbollah’s role continues to decline or if it remains preoccupied with internal restructuring, Amal’s position will likely be further strengthened in managing the relationship between the Shia community and the Lebanese state, as well as between the community and external actors.”

Amal, the Arabic acronym of the movement’s militia name, the Lebanese Resistance Regiments, also translates to “hope”. It was cofounded by Musa Sadr, a revolutionary Iranian-born Shia leader, and Hussein al-Husseini, a former Lebanese speaker of parliament, as the Movement of the Deprived in 1974.

Following Berri’s takeover of the party in 1980, many of the group’s more religious contingent switched to the newly emerged Hezbollah, and the two sides fought one another for territory during the Lebanese civil war. Today, the two groups are allied, although tensions exist among some of their followers.

“Hezbollah established itself as a dominant player due to its military strength, regional influence, and financial and organisational capabilities, making it the most influential force in strategic decisions within the Shia community,” Jawhar said.