Latest news with #HezbollahBrigades
Iraqi News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq targets Hezbollah Brigades after illegal Baghdad attack
Baghdad – The Iraqi government toughened its position towards pro-Iran faction the Hezbollah Brigades on Saturday, announcing some members would be tried over a recent deadly clash and others had been stripped of their commands. The decision follows an attack on a government office in south Baghdad late last month that killed three people, including a policeman, and which the authorities blamed on the group. Like other armed groups trained by Iran during the war against the jihadist Islamic State group (IS), the Hezbollah Brigades were integrated into the regular security forces as part of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) force. However, the faction has developed a reputation for sometimes acting on its own. Iraq's Joint Operations Command previously said that more than a dozen suspects were detained over the July 27 attack on an agriculture ministry office, which was prompted by the sacking of the director. Saturday's government statement said the suspects were 'fighters belonging to Hezbollah Brigades and affiliated to Regiments 45 and 46 of the Hashed al-Shaabi'. It charged that the attack on the ministry's office had been led by the former director. 'In addition to being implicated in several cases of corruption', the suspected ringleader stood accused of 'falsifying official documents, certificates and contracts so that farmland could be confiscated from its legitimate owners', the statement said. The government said it regretted 'command and control failings within the Hashed al-Shaabi' and condemned the 'presence of armed factions which do not respect military rules and procedures'. The authorities announced the 'dismissal of the commanders of Regiments 45 and 46' and the prosecution of 'everybody implicated' in the case. A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said 25 people faced trial — the Hezbollah Brigades fighters and the former head of the ministry office. The group says many of those detained had nothing to do with last month's clash. The case comes amid deep divisions in Iraq over a proposed law that would further formalise the role — and perhaps, the autonomy — of the Hashed al-Shaabi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the proposed legislation 'would institutionalise Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty'. Formed in 2014 when Iraqis were urged to take up arms against IS, the Hashed now counts more than 200,000 fighters and employees, and wields major military and political clout.
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Iraq toughens stance against paramilitary force after Baghdad clash - Region
The Iraqi government toughened its stance on Saturday towards the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah Brigades, announcing that some members would face trial over a recent deadly clash while others were stripped of their commands. The decision follows an attack on a government office in south Baghdad late last month that killed three people, including a policeman, and which the authorities blamed on the group. Like other armed groups trained by Iran during the war against the jihadist Islamic State group (IS), the Hezbollah Brigades were integrated into the regular security forces as part of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) force. However, the faction has developed a reputation for sometimes acting on its own. Iraq's Joint Operations Command previously said that more than a dozen suspects were detained over the July 27 attack on an agriculture ministry office, which was prompted by the sacking of the director. Saturday's government statement said the suspects were "fighters belonging to Hezbollah Brigades and affiliated to Regiments 45 and 46 of the Hashed al-Shaabi". It charged that the attack on the ministry's office had been led by the former director. "In addition to being implicated in several cases of corruption", the suspected ringleader stood accused of "falsifying official documents, certificates and contracts so that farmland could be confiscated from its legitimate owners", the statement said. The government said it regretted "command and control failings within the Hashed al-Shaabi" and condemned the "presence of armed factions which do not respect military rules and procedures". The authorities announced the "dismissal of the commanders of Regiments 45 and 46" and the prosecution of "everybody implicated" in the case. A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said 25 people faced trial -- the Hezbollah Brigades fighters and the former head of the ministry office. The group says many of those detained had nothing to do with last month's clash. The case comes amid deep divisions in Iraq over a proposed law that would further formalise the role -- and perhaps, the autonomy -- of the Hashed al-Shaabi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the proposed legislation "would institutionalise Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty". Formed in 2014 when Iraqis were urged to take up arms against IS, the Hashed now counts more than 200,000 fighters and employees, and wields major military and political clout. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Iraq cracks down on pro-Iran faction after deadly Baghdad clash
BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government has taken a firmer stance against the pro-Iran Hezbollah Brigades following a deadly clash in Baghdad. Authorities announced that some members will face trial while others have been stripped of their military commands. The move comes after an attack on a government office in southern Baghdad last month left three dead, including a policeman. The Hezbollah Brigades, part of the Hashed al-Shaabi force, were accused of orchestrating the assault. Originally trained by Iran to fight against the Islamic State group, the faction has often acted independently. Over a dozen suspects were detained in connection with the July 27 attack on an agriculture ministry office. The government stated that those involved were fighters from the Hezbollah Brigades linked to Hashed al-Shaabi regiments 45 and 46. The attack was allegedly led by the former director of the ministry office. Authorities accused the ringleader of corruption and falsifying documents to seize farmland unlawfully. The government condemned the lack of discipline within the Hashed al-Shaabi and armed factions disregarding military protocols. Commanders of regiments 45 and 46 were dismissed, with all implicated individuals set for prosecution. A security official revealed that 25 people, including fighters and the ex-ministry head, will stand trial. The Hezbollah Brigades claim many detainees had no involvement in the clash. The case highlights tensions over a proposed law formalising the Hashed al-Shaabi's role in Iraq. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the law could entrench Iranian influence through armed factions. Formed in 2014 to combat IS, the Hashed now boasts over 200,000 fighters and holds significant political power. - AFP
Qatar Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Pro-Iran militia in Iraq threatens to attack region's US interests
CairocTypeface:> A pro-Iran Iraqi militia on Sunday threatened to attack US interests in the region if Washington intervenes in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. 'While Iran is confronting the Zionist aggression with bravery and steadfastness, we are closely monitoring the movements of the American enemy army in the region,' the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq said. 'If America intervenes in the war, we will act directly against its interests and bases spread in the region without hesitation,' the militia added in an online statement attributed to its chief Abu Hussein Al Hamidawi. The US has military bases and around 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the terrorist Islam State organization. Al Hamidawi also called on the Iraqi government to close the US embassy in Baghdad and expel the American forces, describing them as the 'most obvious and dangerous threat' to Iraq's security and the region's stability. Iraq maintains good ties both with its neighbour Iran and the US. Baghdad looks at pains to stay clear of the current war between Iran and its sworn foe Israel. An umbrella grouping of pro-Iran militias, known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has repeatedly claimed strikes on US bases inside Iraq and neighbouring Syria with drones and missiles since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023. (DPA)
Shafaq News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hezbollah Brigades warn US: Intervene in Iran, face attacks
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Iraq's Hezbollah Brigades (Kataeb Hezbollah) threatened to target US interests and bases across the region if Washington intervenes militarily in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. In a statement, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the group's secretary-general, stated that 'the Islamic Republic does not require any military support to deter the criminal Zionist entity,' adding that the brigades are closely monitoring the movements of the American army in the region. 'Should the United States intervene in the war, we will act directly against its interests and bases throughout the region without hesitation.' Calling on the Iraqi government, the Iran-aligned Shiite Coordination Framework, and what he described as 'sincere and responsible figures' to 'assume responsibility and take a bold stance to prevent the expansion of war,' al-Hamodawi urged the closure of the US Embassy and the expulsion of US forces from Iraq, labeling them 'the clearest and most dangerous threat to Iraq's security and regional stability.' Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against Israeli attempts to drag the conflict into the Gulf, cautioning that such actions could ignite the entire region and the world. He accused the United States of being involved in carrying out military strikes on Tehran.
