On February 23, pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, highlighting Iran’s influence in Iraq. Key figures, including PMU leaders, spoke at the event, reaffirming their commitment to opposition against Israel. This gathering demonstrated the solidarity between Iranian and Iraqi militia factions amidst ongoing regional tensions.
On February 23, pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders traveled to Lebanon for the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the late Hezbollah leader. The event drew significant crowds at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Stadium, with Iranian and pro-Iranian media reporting a full venue. This attendance by Iraqi militia figures highlights Iran’s extensive influence within Iraq.
A Telegram account linked to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) revealed a photo of PMU Chairman Falih al Fayyadh and Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi, also known as Abu Fadak, arriving in Beirut via Baghdad International Airport. Following a recent trip to Tehran, Fayyadh attended the funeral to discuss the PMU’s future.
Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi has been the head of Kataib Hezbollah since 2020, after the previous leader was killed in a U.S. drone strike alongside an Iranian general. Kataib Hezbollah is a prominent component of the PMU and maintains close ties with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Mohammedawi since 2021.
Muhammad Tabatabai, deputy secretary general of Asaib Ahl al Haq (AAH), was also seen in Beirut with Jawad al Talibawi, a well-known spokesperson for AAH. Both leaders have previously represented AAH in events commemorating Iranian and Iraqi militant figures.
Qais Khazali, AAH’s leader, did not attend the funeral in person but released a statement praising Nasrallah for his dedication to jihad. Khazali emphasized, “We pledge to martyr Nasrallah that we will continue on this path until the land is cleansed of the usurping Zionist regime.”
Another Iraqi militia figure, Abu Alaa al Walai of the Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada militia, issued a statement about the funeral, although he was not present. Additionally, Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in Iraq, spoke at the event, delivering a message from Ali Khamenei.
The funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah unfolded with significant participation from pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders, showcasing Iran’s influence in the region. Iraqi militia leaders, such as Falih al Fayyadh and Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi, attended along with representatives from various militias. Key figures voiced their commitment to continue Nasrallah’s legacy of resistance against perceived threats, notably Israel, underlining the ongoing alignment between Iranian interests and Iraqi militia groups.
Original Source: www.longwarjournal.org
