Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon on February 23, emphasizing Iran’s influence in Iraq. Key attendees included PMU Chairman Falih al Fayyadh and AAH representatives, who voiced their commitment to resistance against Israel. Reports suggested up to 200,000 Iraqi citizens participated, showcasing regional support for Hezbollah.
Delegations of pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders assembled in Lebanon to participate in the funeral of the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, held on February 23 at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Stadium. Reports from Iranian state media highlighted the significant turnout, noting that the stadium was filled with attendees and featuring speeches from various Iranian officials and pro-Iranian figures, which underscored Iran’s influence in Iraq.
On the morning of February 23, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) shared a photograph of Chairman Falih al Fayyadh and Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi, also known as Abu Fadak, arriving at Beirut via Baghdad International Airport. The PMU subsequently confirmed Fayyadh’s presence at the funeral on its website, following his return from a meeting in Tehran regarding the PMU’s future in Iraq.
Mohammedawi has led Kataib Hezbollah since 2020, succeeding Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike. This militia is integral to the PMU and maintains a close relationship with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mohammedawi is currently sanctioned by the U.S. as a Specially Designated National and Blocked Person.
Other Iraqi militia representatives at the funeral included Muhammad Tabatabai, deputy secretary general of Asaib Ahl al Haq (AAH). A video showed him at the site where Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike. Another senior AAH member, Jawad al Talibawi, was also in attendance, having been previously appointed by AAH leader Qais Khazali for significant roles within the organization.
While AAH leader Qais Khazali did not attend the funeral, he communicated a statement in which he praised Nasrallah as a “great man who spent his entire life in the path of jihad and defense of the oppressed.” Khazali’s message emphasized a commitment to continue the struggle against what he termed the “usurping Zionist regime.” He has previously shown support for Hezbollah, having visited Lebanon in 2017.
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 to be present. Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, the representative of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iraq, did attend, delivering a statement from Khamenei during the ceremony.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), approximately 200,000 Iraqi citizens traveled to Lebanon for Nasrallah’s funeral, a figure based on Al Ahed News interviews and likely influenced by Hezbollah estimates. Reports indicated that supporters of Hezbollah also came from countries including Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Tunisia, further illustrating regional solidarity.
The gathering of pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders at Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon highlights the deep connections between these groups and Iran’s pervasive influence in Iraq. The large attendance and presence of key figures, such as Falih al Fayyadh and Abdul Aziz al Mohammedawi, demonstrate their commitment to supporting Hezbollah and continuing the fight against perceived adversaries. Furthermore, statements from militia leaders underscored their dedication to the ongoing resistance against Israel.
Original Source: www.longwarjournal.org
