Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah denies Reuters' report citing 'commander'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
7 Apr 2025 21:50

Reuters had reported that Iraqi armed groups are ready to dismantle amid fears of a Trump strike, citing alleged senior Iraqi commanders and officials.

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Fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces attend the funeral of a commander from the Kataib Hezbollah group killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 8, 2024 (AP)

Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah stated that the remarks attributed by Reuters to an individual described as a "Kataib Hezbollah commander" do not reflect the group's principles or positions.

The brigades emphasized that all official media statements are made solely by their official and military spokespersons.

Any claims made in the name of Kataib Hezbollah by individuals other than these spokespersons are considered false and defamatory, it stressed.

Reuters had reported that Iraqi armed groups are ready to dismantle amid fears of a Trump strike, citing senior Iraqi commanders and officials.

Kataib Hezbollah, a group active under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, took part in the military operations against Israeli targets in response to "Israel's" war on the Gaza Strip.

US-Iran war would set entire region ablaze: Iraqi official

Last week, the Secretary-General of Iraq’s Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, cautioned that a war between Iran and the United States would not be a "walk in the park" or a simple affair but would set the entire region on fire.

"The outbreak of war with Iran does not mean it will be a walk in the park; rather, it will set the entire region ablaze," al-Amiri warned during a meeting with tribal leaders and dignitaries from Diyala province at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces’ Diyala Operations Command.

The Iraqi politician stressed that "no one should assume that we and other countries of the region will stand idly by if war breaks out between Iran and the US."

His remarks come two days after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran if no agreement was reached on its nuclear program.

Ali Larijani, senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyed Ali Khamenei, warned that any US or Israeli attack on Iran under the pretext of its nuclear program would force Tehran to move toward producing a nuclear bomb.

Iranian officials have also rejected negotiations under pressure or threats, affirming Tehran’s readiness to respond firmly to any attack.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran was open to indirect negotiations with Washington but pointed out that the US approach would determine the course of the discussions.