A senior Hezbollah official, Mahmoud Qmati, has issued a stern warning to the Lebanese government, stating that any attempt to disarm the group beyond the southern border region would lead to chaos and potentially civil war. This statement comes as Lebanon aims to bring all arms under state control, a commitment made in a 2024 agreement ending the war with Israel. Hezbollah maintains this agreement only applies to the southernmost area bordering Israel and refuses to surrender its arsenal elsewhere. Qmati described further disarmament efforts as "the biggest crime committed by the state" and warned of instability, though he assured Hezbollah would not confront the Lebanese army. The Lebanese army has asserted control between the Litani River and Israel's border, with the cabinet set to discuss broader disarmament plans in early February. Hezbollah has conditioned any further disarmament talks on Israeli troop withdrawal from five hilltop positions, cessation of airstrikes, and the release of detained Lebanese individuals.