Funeral of Hezbollah Leader Draws Pro-Iranian Iraqi Militia Leaders to Lebanon
Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon on February 23, with notable figures such as Falih al Fayyadh and Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi present. The event highlighted Iran’s influence, drawing significant attendance and statements from various militia leaders expressing their commitment to continuing the fight against Israel. Reports suggested around 200,000 Iraqis participated, showcasing wide regional support.
On February 23, delegations from pro-Iranian Iraqi militias congregated in Lebanon for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. This event garnered significant attendance at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Stadium, with reports from Iranian state and pro-Iranian media underscoring the large turnout and emphasizing the importance of speeches from Iranian officials and allied figures. Iraqi participation at the funeral highlights the deepening influence of Iran in Iraq.
Photographs shared via a Telegram channel linked to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) showed Chairman Falih al Fayyadh and Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi, also known as Abu Fadak, en route to Beirut from Baghdad International Airport. The PMU confirmed Fayyadh’s attendance on its official website, noting he had returned to Iraq following crucial meetings in Tehran regarding the future of the PMU.
Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi has led Kataib Hezbollah since 2020, following the deaths of former leader Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and IRGC-QF head Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. Kataib Hezbollah is integral to the PMU and closely aligned with the IRGC. Mohammedawi, currently under US sanctions as a Specially Designated National, represents an influential figure within the coalition.
Among those traveling to Beirut was Muhammad Tabatabai, deputy secretary general of Asaib Ahl al Haq (AAH). A video captured him at the site in Beirut where Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike, and it also featured Jawad al Talibawi, another senior AAH member notable for his previous roles in critical investigations into violence in Iraq.
Although AAH leader Qais Khazali did not attend the funeral, he issued a statement from Iraq. The Islamic Republic News Agency reported Khazali praising Nasrallah as a “great man who spent his entire life in the path of jihad and defense of the oppressed,” affirming AAH’s commitment to continue the fight against the “usurping Zionist regime.”
Abu Alaa al Walai, secretary-general of the Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada militia, also issued a statement regarding the funeral, although he did not appear in person. Likewise, Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, the representative of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iraq, participated and delivered a statement at the event.
IRNA reported an estimated 200,000 Iraqi citizens traveled to Lebanon for the funeral, although these figures were derived from Hezbollah’s estimates and may not be fully accurate. Reports also indicated that attendees included Hezbollah supporters from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Tunisia, showcasing the broad regional backing for the event.
The gathering of pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders at Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon illustrates Iran’s substantial influence in the region, particularly concerning Iraqi militias. Key figures like Falih al Fayyadh and Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi underscored their commitment to Hezbollah’s legacy, while statements from prominent militia leaders highlighted their ongoing dedication to the struggle against perceived adversaries, particularly Israel. The event’s attendance further emphasizes the solidarity among various factions in the region aligned with Iran.
Original Source: www.longwarjournal.org
