Latest news with #KataibSayyidal-Shuhada
Shafaq News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran-backed Iraqi factions signal escalation and unity following Israeli strikes on Iran
Shafaq News/ The unprecedented Israeli airstrikes deep into Iranian territory have triggered a wave of forceful reactions from Iran-aligned factions in Iraq, with statements from Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada reflecting a dramatic convergence of rhetoric, strategic intent, and a reaffirmation of what Tehran has long described as the "Unity of Fronts"—a coordinated regional Axis of Resistance against Israel and US presence. Blaming the United States Across all statements, a consistent accusation is leveled against the United States: facilitating the Israeli air campaign by allowing Israeli aircraft to violate Iraqi airspace. Kataib Hezbollah was the most direct, accusing US President Donald Trump of granting authorization for the strikes and stating that US forces in Iraq 'paved the way' for Israeli jets to commit acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic. Similarly, Harakat al-Nujaba's Secretary-General Akram al-Kaabi described the operation as a 'flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty' coordinated with the 'American occupier', renewing the demand for the complete expulsion of US troops from all Iraqi land and airspace. These accusations mark a significant escalation in tone—no longer portraying US forces as mere remnants of occupation but as active enablers of regional destabilization. The Unity of Fronts What was once rhetorical solidarity with Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine has now been rearticulated into a vision of strategic coordination. Asaib Ahl al-Haq's call for 'resistance fighters to remain on alert' and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's warning that 'Iraq will not be spared' signal an emerging operational posture based on shared fate. While these factions stop short of declaring immediate military retaliation, the language suggests that they now view Israeli aggression on Iran as a direct threat to Iraq and the Axis at large. This is the clearest indication yet that the Iranian concept of a "Unity of Fronts"—where allied groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen act in concert—may be shifting from deterrent theory to practice. Harakat al-Nujaba underscored this narrative by highlighting Iran's past support for Iraq in its fight against ISIS, and asserting that standing with Iran is a natural extension of that legacy. In their words, Iran 'stood alone' with Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon, while the Arab world and the West sided with extremists or remained indifferent. Pressuring the Iraqi Government Nearly all factions addressed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al- Sudani directly or indirectly, urging him to resist American pressure and prevent further violations of Iraqi airspace. Asaib Ahl al-Haq demanded that Iraq acquire air defense systems and stop relying on US-controlled aerial oversight, implying that Washington is obstructing Iraq's right to self-defense. These calls reflect growing impatience with what these groups perceive as Baghdad's passive stance on sovereignty and foreign military presence. They are laying down a test: either the Iraqi government asserts full control over its skies and foreign policy, or the factions will continue to operate independently under the umbrella of the Axis. This narrative also seeks to preempt US efforts to keep the Iraqi government aligned with Western strategic priorities, particularly in preventing Iraq from becoming a launchpad or corridor for operations against Iran. Rhetoric of Retaliation Notably, none of the factions announced immediate retaliatory action. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's spokesperson stated that the group is 'monitoring developments' and will act in accordance with Iraq's national interest. This suggests a shift toward strategic patience and coordination with Tehran—likely in anticipation of Iran's broader response to the Israeli attack. However, the rhetorical groundwork is being laid: the Israeli strikes are cast as 'barbaric,' 'criminal,' and 'beyond red lines,' with several groups warning that such acts 'will not go unpunished.' The careful phrasing keeps military options open while signaling to Iran that Iraq's factions remain committed allies in what they see as a shared existential struggle. Expanding the Conflict's Political Horizon Perhaps the most consequential aspect of these statements is their attempt to redefine the Israeli-Iranian confrontation as a regional war with implications for every member of the Axis. By invoking Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and the anti-ISIS war, these groups are broadening the context, positioning themselves not as proxies, but as partners in a geopolitical alliance rooted in resistance. They are also reframing the narrative for domestic Iraqi audiences: this is not just about Iran, but about Iraqi sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination in the face of what they label foreign aggression and betrayal. A Precursor to Coordinated Action? While the immediate goal is pressuring the Iraqi government to evict US forces, the deeper message is one of transnational unity: the Axis of Resistance views an attack on Iran as an attack on the entire front. As Iran prepares its retaliation, the responses from Iraqi factions suggest that any future escalation may not be confined to Iranian soil. Whether militarily, politically, or rhetorically, the stage is being set for a more coordinated regional posture—and potentially, a broader confrontation.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran-backed group: Iraq 'Won't Be Spared' if Israeli escalation continues
Shafaq News/ Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-backed faction in Iraq, warned on Friday that Israel's latest military strikes on Iran could trigger regional consequences. 'The Israeli aggression isn't limited to Iran—it threatens the entire region,' the group's spokesman Sheikh Kazem al-Fartousi told Shafaq News, adding that if the escalation continues, Iraq will not be spared. He said the group is monitoring developments and weighing its options but stressed that any response would be measured and coordinated with Iraq's national interests and government stance. Earlier today, Israel launched coordinated airstrikes under 'Operation Rising Lion,' hitting Iranian nuclear and military sites and killing top IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran has since shut down its airspace, placed its forces on high alert, and launched over 800 drones.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi armed group threatens US with suicide attacks over Iran standoff
Shafaq News/ Waves of suicide attackers will be dispatched to target US interests if war breaks out between Iran and the United States, warned Abu Alaa al-Walai, Secretary-General of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-aligned Iraqi Shiite armed group. In a statement widely circulated on social media, al-Walai declared, 'Hundreds of martyrdom-seekers will be ready. The United States' pride will be humiliated again, just as it was the first time in Iraq when it left in disgrace.' He added, 'This time, the US and its agents will have no place left in the Middle East. Regimes that once relied on the occupation [the US] will fall, and victory will belong to God and His faithful servants.' The threats come as regional tensions escalate following Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh's warning that Iran would target US bases in the region if a conflict erupts over nuclear negotiations. In response to the growing risks, the US Department of Defense confirmed yesterday that it has authorized the voluntary departure of military families from multiple locations under the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which includes Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. 'The safety and security of our service members and their families remain a top priority,' a Pentagon official told Shafaq News. 'CENTCOM continues to monitor rising tensions in the region.'
Nahar Net
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Thousands fly into Beirut for Nasrallah's funeral
by Naharnet Newsdesk 7 hours Nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike, thousands of supporters of the longtime leader of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah have flown into Beirut for his funeral on Sunday. Nasrallah was killed on Sept. 27 when Israel's air force dropped more than 80 bombs on Hezbollah's main operations room in Beirut's southern suburbs. It was the biggest and most consequential of Israel's targeted killings in years. The death of Nasrallah, one of the Iran-backed Shiite group's founders and Hezbollah's leader of more than 30 years, was a huge blow to the group he had transformed into a potent force in the Middle East. Hezbollah suffered significant losses in the latest war with Israel, including the killing of several of its most senior military and political figures. His cousin and successor Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb a few days later, will be laid to rest in his hometown in southern Lebanon. The two had temporarily been buried in secret locations. Hezbollah earlier this month announced plans for their official funerals. Crowds are expected to gather on Sunday at Beirut's main sports stadium for a funeral ceremony before Nasrallah's interment. Flights from Iraq, where Hezbollah has a huge following among Iraqi Shiites, have been full for days on end. According to an Iraqi transportation ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the flights, up to 6,000 people have flown to Beirut over the past days. Among those who arrived from overseas was also American commentator Jackson Hinkle. "I am honored to be attending the funeral," Hinkle posted on the social media platform X after arriving this week in Beirut. Hinkle posted a photo of himself visiting a war-wrecked southern Lebanese border village, waving a Hezbollah flag. Nasrallah, idolized by his supporters and with large followings among Shiites in the Islamic world, held the title of Sayyed, an honorific meant to signify the Shiite cleric's lineage dating back to the Prophet Mohammad, the founder of Islam. However, Lebanese authorities have revoked permission for a passenger plane from Iran, leaving dozens who had wanted to attend the funeral stranded in Tehran and triggering protests by Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon. The ban came after the Israeli army accused Iran of smuggling cash to Hezbollah by way of civilian flights, leading some in Lebanon to allege that their government had caved in the face of a threat from Israel. Some of those who were expected to fly in from Iran were now coming to Lebanon via Iraq. Also, members of Iran-backed groups in the region also were traveling to Beirut to attend Nasrallah's funeral. Kazim al-Fartousi, spokesman for the Iran-backed Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada group in Iraq, arrived on Friday. He said Nasrallah was "the father, commander and the book that we read every day to learn about freedom."
Voice of America
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Thousands fly to Lebanon for funeral of Hezbollah's slain leader
Nearly five months after Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike, thousands of supporters of the longtime leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group have flown into Beirut for his funeral on Sunday. Nasrallah was killed on Sept. 27 when Israel's air force dropped more than 80 bombs on Hezbollah's main operations room in southern Beirut. It was the biggest and most consequential of Israel's targeted killings in years. The death of Nasrallah, one of the Iran-backed Shiite group's founders and the organization's leader of more than 30 years, was a huge blow to the group he had transformed into a potent force in the Middle East. Hezbollah, which the United States and some of its allies have designated a terrorist organization, has suffered significant losses in the latest war with Israel, including the killing of several of its most senior military and political figures. Nasrallah's cousin and successor, Hashem Safieddine, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb a few days later, will be laid to rest in his hometown in southern Lebanon. The two had temporarily been buried in secret locations. Hezbollah earlier this month announced plans for their official funerals. Crowds are expected to gather Sunday at Beirut's main sports stadium for a funeral ceremony before Nasrallah's interment. Flights from Iraq, where Hezbollah has a huge following among Iraqi Shiites, have been full for days. According to an Iraqi Transportation Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the flights, up to 6,000 people have flown to Beirut recently. Nasrallah, idolized by his supporters and with large followings among the Shiites and the Islamic world, also held the title of sayyid, an honorific meant to signify the Shiite cleric's lineage dating back to the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. However, Lebanese authorities revoked permission for a passenger plane from Iran, leaving dozens who had wanted to attend the funeral stranded in Tehran and triggering protests by Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon. The ban came after the Israeli army accused Iran of smuggling cash to Hezbollah by way of civilian flights, leading some in Lebanon to allege that their government had caved in the face of a threat from Israel. Some of those who were expected to fly in from Iran were now coming to Lebanon via Iraq. Also, members of Iran-backed groups in the region also were traveling to Beirut to attend Nasrallah's funeral. Kazim al-Fartousi, spokesperson for the Iran-backed Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada group in Iraq, arrived on Friday. He said Nasrallah was "the father, commander and the book that we read every day to learn about freedom." Republican U.S. Representative Joe Wilson criticized Lebanese politicians who were planning to attend the funeral. "Any Lebanese politician who attends the funeral of the murderous terrorist Hasan Nasrallah is standing with the Iranian Regime," Wilson said on X.
