Kataib Hezbollah Warns Of Total War If Iran Attacked
- Kataib Hezbollah signals support for Iran amid US buildup
- Iraqi group issues warning as regional tensions rise
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi paramilitary group, has warned of a “total war” if Iran is attacked, signalling direct military support for Tehran if a conflict breaks out. The warning comes as the United States amasses military assets in the region. The Iran backed group issued the statement amid rising tensions and renewed focus on regional alliances.
The group’s chief, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, released a strong statement late on Sunday. He called on fighters to prepare for war. He said the “forces of darkness” are gathering to subjugate and destroy Iran. He described Iran as the “fortress and pride” of Muslims. Therefore, he said any attack would face severe consequences.
“We affirm to the enemies that war against the [Islamic] Republic will not be a walk in the park,” al-Hamidawi said. “But rather, you will taste the bitterest forms of death, and nothing will remain of you in our region.” The remarks marked one of the strongest warnings issued by Kataib Hezbollah in recent times. Meanwhile, the statement highlighted the group’s readiness to act if Iran faces military action.
In the past, when Israel and the United States attacked Iran in June last year, Iran’s regional allies did not intervene. These allies are collectively known as the “axis of resistance”. The alliance includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and several Iraqi armed groups. However, al-Hamidawi suggested the response would be different this time. He stressed “the necessity of supporting it from the forces of the axis and assisting it in whatever way they can”.
Kataib Hezbollah remains one of the largest groups within the Popular Mobilisation Forces. The PMF was founded in 2014 to stop rapid advances by ISIL at the time. Therefore, the group holds significant influence within Iraq’s security landscape. Its statement adds to concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity has also continued. In a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Baghdad to keep its distance from Iran. Rubio said, “Iraq can fully realise its potential as a force for stability, prosperity and security in the Middle East”. The call came as Baghdad expects a possible return of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister after more than 10 years. Al-Maliki first became prime minister in 2006 with US backing. However, his ties with Washington later soured after accusations of sectarian policies that led to the rise of ISIL in Iraq.
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