The military spokesman for the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, Sayyed Jaafar Al-Husseini, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen that communication with the Palestinian resistance following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood deepened and became direct, daily, and more coherent at the political, military, and popular levels.

Solidarity and Liaison between the Iraqi and Palestinian Resistance

Al Mayadeen: Greetings and welcome to our esteemed audience everywhere [in the world] to this special interview with the military spokesperson of the Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah [Hezbollah Brigades], Sayyed Jaafar Al-Husseini.

Welcome, dear sir. Let's get straight into the questions.

Since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, how would you assess your communication with the Palestinian Resistance Factions on all levels? Is it meticulous politically and in regards to on-field actions [militarily]? 

Al-Husseini: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Since the early days of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle and the criminal aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza or other areas of occupied Palestine, lines of communication have persisted. This communication was not born [now] at this stage but existed prior. However, after the Al-Aqsa Flood, this communication deepened and became a continuous and daily affair, both directly and in liaison with other brothers present in different places. This communication and these connections have become more cohesive than ever before.

Al Mayadeen: On what level? political and field [military] levels?

Al-Husseini: On all levels. We are talking about the military aspect, the political level, and even at the popular level. We are present and engaged in this communication, and we also aspire to be more proximate to Gaza in the coming stage.

Capacities of the Iraqi Resistance

Al Mayadeen: What are the capabilities of the Islamic resistance in Iraq? You announced targeting and hitting a site in the occupied territories with a precision-guided missile, as you mentioned, a developed cruise missile after the Islamic resistance in Iraq [umbrella term of Iraqi resistance factions including Kataib Hezbollah] had previously used one. What are the capabilities of the Islamic resistance in Iraq?

Al-Husseini: In regards to the capabilities of the Iraqi resistance, we have repeatedly emphasized that the capacities of the Iraqi resistance have become more robust, and abundant, and are certainly beyond what the enemy [Israel] might imagine. 

We have addressed this in various media outlets, affirming that the resistance in Iraq has capabilities and capacities that perhaps only the Americans are aware of, as they have experienced them [firsthand] in some battles and confrontations [in some areas in Iraq]. However, at this stage, we have become more transparent about using the capabilities we employ.

The Iraqi resistance, after the [Al-Aqsa] Flood, launched operations, primarily targeting American bases inside Iraq and some bases in Syria. They used drones and short-range missiles, including [locally] upgraded [precision guided] short-range missiles in these operations.

In advanced stages, the resistance went beyond that and employed aircraft [drones] with longer ranges that reached the depth of the occupied territories, targeting vital targets within the [occupation] entity.

This includes "Eilat" [Umm al-Rashrash], targets in the Dead Sea, and vital targets even in the Mediterranean Sea that the resistance targeted using these aircraft [drones]. 

There are also other suitable weapons in our arsenal however it wouldn't be smart to specify them at this time

[Also] other suitable weapons were employed, but it wouldn't be smart to disclose the type of these weapons and the tactics used. However, [we can confirm] that the hand of the resistance has reached there [the Israeli occupation].

At this stage, the Iraqi resistance has, for the first time, employed short-range ballistic missiles, targeting prominent American bases such as Ain al-Assad and others.

Al Mayadeen: You targeted American bases in Iraq with ballistic missiles?

Al-Husseini: Yes, Ain al-Assad was one of the [US occupation] bases that were targeted by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq with short-range ballistic missiles. These operations are escalating, and so are the tactics.

The use of this type of weapons and missiles was initially reserved for certain bases and targets. [Prior] there were specific targets being hit by these [high-tier] missiles. However, afterward, the resistance commenced a new phase of escalation by using long-range missiles. We are talking about an upgraded cruise missile targeting a vital position in Haifa by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

We [in the Iraqi resistance] are now proliferating our capabilities at this stage, but it won't stop at this level.

[Contending] the scattered American bases and the plots of the [occupation] entity corresponds to the crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people, whether in Gaza or elsewhere (Al-Husseini re-emphasizes the equation set by the Islamic resistance that "Israel" and the US will continue to be subjected to operations by the Iraqi resistance so long a ceasefire is not achieved in Gaza). 

[The Israeli occupation] seems to be hellbent on escalating the conflict further and it seems determined to shed the blood of the Palestinians. As long as this enemy insists on that, we, as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, will continue to expand the geography of these operations [to widen the scale of the bank of targets] and as well as the nature of the targets [to opt for more sensitive targets]. Geography is not an obstacle... 

Intensified aggression against Gaza to be met with escalation 

Al Mayadeen: That's what I was going to ask about. What do you mean by geographical expansion of targets?

Al-Husseini: The battle has erupted, and there is significant potential in it. Geography is open to us, and all American sites are [legitimate] targets for the Islamic resistance. We are talking about the American presence in the entirety of West Asia. The resistance is capable of reaching any point where Americans are present in West Asia, and this is by the grace of God. We are committed to that so long that the Zionist-American war machine persists in its crimes. We will persist in targeting Americans and those that coat-tail them. 

"كل الأهداف وكل المواقع الأميركية في غرب آسيا هدف للمقاومة الإسلامية في العراق"

المتحدث العسكري باسم كتائب حزب الله جعفر الحسيني لـ #الميادين#مقابلة_مع#فلسطين#العراق pic.twitter.com/k4I1a3KP6V

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) January 9, 2024

Al Mayadeen: What do you mean by those coat-tailing the Americans?

Al-Husseini: To speak blatantly, there are some who support the Zionist Occupation subliminally [in our region]. Specifically, there are some Gulf Arabist [regimes], namely the [United Arab] Emirates which plays a very malicious role. We have heard of some reports about the UAE paving the way for a route into the Israeli occupation (as an alternative to the blockaded Red Sea route). From the UAE to Saudi Arabia through Jordan to reach the Israeli occupation. 

If they choose to go through with this initiative, the [Iraqi] resistance will be faced with new options. Other options will be up on the table for the resistance to contend this form of support for the Israeli Occupation. 

These countries will be subjected to whatever the resistance surmounts if they choose to go through with this initiative. 

This is not to say that they [the aforementioned countries] do not currently play any malicious role: no. They do.

The days ahead of us may involve countries like those we have mentioned, Gulf countries. We are talking about the American bases in the Gulf, and we are talking about other regions. There will be a word for the resistance [regarding these bases] in due time.

Strategy: Ceasefire in Gaza and lifting the Blockade primary consideration

Al Mayadeen: Some hawkishly warn of American retaliation, and allow me to ask you here: Some fear that what is happening with the Islamic resistance in Iraq may come at a cost. Do you take into consideration these potential outcomes, or have you decided to engage in this epic and that's the end?

Al-Husseini: To be clear and direct with you, anything might befall us now, talking about costs, retaliation, [vengeful] attacks whether targeting individuals, sites, or any party, we do not hyper fixate on these matters [currently]. 

We do not look at these matters. Before us, currently, there is one primary concern: that the occupation ceases committing massacres against our people in Palestine, that the siege on our people in Palestine is lifted, and that the prospect of displacing Palestinians is devoid [and extracted from political discourse]. 

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This is what is before us now, all other considerations, threats, promises, statements, and discussions, internal and external pressures regionally, all of this has no significance except one consideration: that the [zionist-American] war machine stops, and the complete siege on Gaza is lifted.

We do not speak of sporadic aid as if we are begging for them to allow the entry of a couple dozen trucks. No, the complete lifting of the blockade on Gaza. After that is done then we can listen to the rest of the discussion and consider other matters.

But today, the resistance continues to target the enemy's strongholds, bases, and interests in the entire region, and this will not stop until the primary and ultimate goal is achieved, which is for the war on Gaza to stop.

Divide and Conquer Strategy won't work amid regional solidarity 

Al Mayadeen: The IOF threatens Lebanon and Yemen, and vows aggression and crimes similar to what Gaza was subjected to. As a party to the axis [of resistance], how do you view these threats, whether leveled against Lebanon or others?

"إذا فكر العدو بأي حماقة ضد #لبنان فسيكون العراقيون حاضرون في الميدان عديداً وعتاداً"

المتحدث العسكري باسم كتائب حزب الله جعفر الحسيني لـ #الميادين#مقابلة_مع#فلسطين#العراق pic.twitter.com/AwS2KScrcj

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) January 9, 2024

Al-Husseini: Certainly, after the events of the Al-Aqsa Flood, an essential development occurred: the Zionist-American enemy has recognized that it cannot single out a state, entity, faction, or group [and funnel its aggression against it].

The prospect that the enemy aggresses against Iraq and Iraqis is left to contend it alone. Or that Palestine is subjected to aggression, and they will face it alone.

Today, this axis has become strongly cohesive, with a clear vision, and clear goals, and it is firmly rooted in the field. This has become clear to everyone: the multitude of roles coupled with the unity of purpose in confronting this enemy will not allow the enemy to single out any country to aggress against it.

As for the specific case of Lebanon, we, as Iraqis, have a presence now that the how and where of which cannot be specified. 

If the enemy considers such folly in Lebanon, Iraqis will be present in the field, in large numbers, and we will defend and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lebanese people until the last breath.

Lebanon cannot be abandoned; the Lebanese resistance cannot be abandoned. We will not allow an enemy like "Israel" or the United States to touch any countries in the Axis [of resistance] or any Islamic country. [In the case of aggression against Lebanon], we, as Iraqis, are ready in various means to be at the right time and in the right place, shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in the Lebanese resistance. 

Solidarity with Yemen

Al Mayadeen: In regards to Yemen, the US formed a coalition following the developments in the Red Sea directed against the Ansar Allah.

Al-Hussaini: That is another issue. When we discuss Yemen, we need to have red lines in mind, three red lines. Once they cross them, and this is something the Americans and those who support them and coat-tail them on the issue of Yemen must know: The issue of Yemen will be quite different. Then the options would be wide open to us, and the Americans would come to see sights that would forever haunt them. This cannot be taken lightly, as there is no room for miscalculation here.

There are no calculations in Yemen. Any aggression on Yemen would leave all calculations aside and all options would be open to us, and at that point, the Resistance would deliberate on the suitable retaliation. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq will be present there with great effectiveness, alongside other forces. But in Yemen, our contribution would be much more weighty than it would be elsewhere.

Resistance Axis to proliferate in the next decade

Al Mayadeen: When you put it like that,  are we talking about unknown or unannounced forces in the Axis when we discuss the neighborhood of Iraq, that would deter the US or “Israel” from striking Yemen?

Al-Hussaini: It’s clear now that the Resistance in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. The resistance in all these countries is present, coordinating its efforts in resisting this enemy. There's also the Bahraini and Hijazi Resistance...

Al Mayadeen: The Resistance in Bahrain and Al-Hijaz?!

Al-Hussaini: Yes, they’re present, even if this presence is unannounced so far, but its features will grow more prominent in the years to come and in future confrontations. They might not have the opportunity now to act up because of their own considerations. Their presence might have not been [officially] announced but they are there and they are present. 

However, what we see today are hints of the future expansion of the resistance axis in the next decade which is expected to reach East Asia and some states in the Caucasus.  

Al Mayadeen: You mean to say that Resistance forces are spreading from West Asia to East Asia and some countries in the Caucasus?

Al-Husseini: The forces of liberation and all the free people of the world are always in agreement and have one shared goal; it is clear that we do not want to attack them. We do not have any hostile intentions and whatnot. We defend the oppressed and the causes we hold dear to us. We defend our principles. This is what brings all of these countries together.

Ceasefire, lifting of blockade core issues

Al Mayadeen: Are there any limits or calculations when it comes to Operation al-Aqsa Flood?

Al-Husseini: Honestly, I mentioned to you earlier that nothing is being taken into consideration but the lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the halting of the war machine, murder, and criminality being carried out against our people in Gaza. The only thing being considered today is lifting the blockade, and then we might head in a different direction.

We, as Iraqi Resistance, will continue to make efforts to expel all the US forces from Iraq and some other regional countries, if not the region as a whole. However, today, we are only thinking of Gaza, and our eyes are only set on Gaza. Our battle with the Americans is still ongoing, and though our operations were launched in conjunction with Operation al-Aqsa Flood, they will not stop with it. They will continue for the Americans. 

The situation can be discussed at a later date after the war on Gaza is over. But for now, our eyes are fixed on Gaza, and the reasoning behind our operations and all the pressure we are exerting on the Americans through our strikes is for the lifting of the blockade. When all is said and done, we can talk about this issue in more detail.

Al Mayadeen: Here, you are talking about a confrontation with the Americans not only in Iraq, a ceaseless confrontation. Does this mean that you will continue to attack the US military presence if it schedules a withdrawal from Iraq?

Operations to extend beyond Iraq

Al-Husseini: I told you about a pivotal cause that cannot be laid down: If the Americans simply left Iraq and violated or attacked another country in the Axis of Resistance, should the Iraqi Resistance stand idle and say there is no US presence here anymore? No. We are for a complete eradication of US military presence in the region so that we can rid it of Wahsington's evil.

US presence in any of these countries is pure evil, an evil that can spread from one country to another. Even if they were not in Iraq anymore, their malicious actions could still affect the Republic. Removing them from the entire region restores stability, and what we seek is the stability of the region away from the US forces and all those backing them.

Al Mayadeen: Do you expect there to be a response from the United States to this threat or these ongoing operations? We are talking about Israeli-US assassinations in Syria, and Iraq, as well as terrorist operations in Iran.

Al-Husseini: We are in the midst of a battle. Any battle has a reaction and a counter-reaction. This includes martyrdom, victory, and so on. There are many options on the table in this battle.

Martyrdom a reward, not the goal

Al Mayadeen: Are you ready for martyrdom?

Al-Husseini: We are. Mr. Abdullah, when we went into this battle and decided to go in the direction of getting the US forces out of Iraq, we knew that we would have to give something in return. Let's not say a tax, but rather a reward for us as fighters. Our reward, God willing, is martyrdom. However, it is not the goal we go toward; our loftiest and most important goal that we set our sights on is the expulsion of the US forces. Allah will decide who will be rewarded with seeing this day come, and those who are not rewarded with this will have their own reward.

We will carry on as far as we can go, as far as our missiles and ranges can reach, and as far as our beliefs in Allah can get us in the struggle to expel the US forces. We do not care for what we might come across in the middle of this road. We only care about reaching its end, and that is the complete expulsion of the US forces, over which our people will rejoice as they attain their full liberty and dignity.

Al Mayadeen: A short while ago, we were discussing Gaza. Certain parties present a scenario, of course, it is not new and has been raised since the beginning of the aggression: the displacement of the people of Gaza. At times, they talk about settling them in camps in the Sinai Peninsula, and at other times, they talk about western Iraq. Of course, Arab leaderships officially reject this. But how do you view this matter?

Al-Husseini: Palestine is for the Palestinians. These are dreams and delusions that the Israeli regime and some supporters from the Gulf spew. Palestine is for the Palestinians. There is no such thing as "Isreal". We will liberate all of the Palestinian territories, and anyone talking about displacing Palestinians should not even consider it. 

The narrative of there being a state for the Zionist entity without a place for the Palestinians. Let them talk about their own fate, the fate of the Zionists on this soil, and not talk about expelling the Palestinians. Palestine is for the Palestinian people. It is coming closer to complete liberation by the day.

Iraq to only stop when the killing stops

Al Mayadeen: You are fairly confident in this confrontation. There are more than 22,000 martyrs and times more wounded. This battle is ongoing. How far are you prepared to go? Where is the line in the sand for the Islamic resistance in Iraq?

Al-Husseini: The Islamic resistance, as I mentioned, will continue until this killing machine stops. However, it does not cease to pursue its fundamental goal, Palestine for the Palestinian people. This matter does not stop here only. The goal goes further.

What value is there for an Iraqi to ostensibly live, breathe, and move comfortably while a Palestinian, whether a child, woman, or elderly person, is killed in cold blood by the entity? Where is the dignity and humanity's principles?

The principle is one and steadfast: to stop there, and then we move towards... Of course, we are not talking about an alternative to the Palestinians in the confrontation. Instead, we stand alongside the Palestinians and behind them in this confrontation. They have the people and capabilities to manage this matter, but we stand with all our strength behind the Palestinians to reclaim the entire land.

Al Mayadeen: What is the last message that you would send to the American forces in Iraq or the US military, or even to the Israeli enemy, especially regarding the capabilities demonstrated by the Islamic resistance in this confrontation?

The Americans and Israelis await something significant. Therefore, the more they insist on shedding blood and the more stubborn they become in this matter, the more blows the resistance will direct at them.

The Iraqi Islamic resistance has a lot up its sleeve to stop and force the Americans to halt the battle there in Gaza and exit Iraq. We are not talking here about American withdrawals, negotiation, or scheduling. No, the Americans will leave humiliated, under the missiles of the resistance. They will be forced to leave. They will leave behind their own soldiers' corpses and many of their collaborators who supported them over the past two decades. 

The scene seen in Afghanistan may repeat itself when they left, leaving their collaborators who had praised them day and night as advisers, a force that came to fight against ISIS, and so on. No, the Americans will leave humiliated, and those who defended the Americans throughout the past period will be humiliated.