On February 23, pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral in Beirut, highlighting Iran’s influence in Iraq. Key figures like PMU Chairman Falih al Fayyadh participated, and significant crowds were reported, emphasizing regional alliances. Statements from leaders reaffirmed their commitment to oppose Israel and support for Iran.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders gathered in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 23 for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The event attracted significant attendance at Camille Chamoun Stadium, illustrating Iran’s influence in Iraq as media outlets emphasized the large crowd and statements from Iranian officials. This shows the solidarity among pro-Iran factions in the region.
Notably, Iraqi militia leaders, including Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Chairman Falih al Fayyadh and Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi (Abu Fadak), traveled to Beirut, highlighting their commitment to the Iranian cause. A photo of them taken at Baghdad International Airport was shared on social media, reinforcing their active involvement in mourning the Hezbollah chief.
Mohammedawi, who heads Kataib Hezbollah, succeeded Abu Mahdi al Muhandis after his death in a US airstrike in 2020. This group is significant within the PMU and has close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mohammedawi has been sanctioned by the US since 2021 due to his militia affiliations.
Other Iraqi militia figures present included Muhammad Tabatabai, deputy secretary general of Asaib Ahl al Haq (AAH). Reports noted that he appeared at the site connected to Nasrallah’s death. Additionally, AAH’s spokesperson Jawad al Talibawi accompanied him, indicating ongoing collaboration among these militia factions.
Though AAH leader Qais Khazali did not attend the funeral, he released a statement praising Nasrallah as a “great man who spent his entire life in the path of jihad and defense of the oppressed.” Khazali’s commitment to continue opposing the “usurping Zionist regime” demonstrates the enduring connection between these groups and their common ideological goals.
Also attending the funeral was Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, representing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who delivered a message from Khamenei himself. Reports suggested around 200,000 Iraqis traveled to Lebanon for the funeral, although this figure appears to be based on estimates from Hezbollah’s sources and may not be independently verified, as stated by multiple Arabic news outlets.
The gathering of pro-Iranian militia leaders at Nasrallah’s funeral underscores the strong influence of Iran in Iraqi politics and militia affiliations. Key figures like Falih al Fayyadh and Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi showed solidarity with Hezbollah. Despite varying reports on attendance numbers, the event affirmed the ideological ties among these groups against a common adversary, Israel and the West.
Original Source: www.longwarjournal.org
