ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Iraqi militia commander on Friday said his force was ready to send fighters to support Lebanese Hezbollah, following two waves of explosions blamed on Israel that killed dozens of people and injured thousands in southern Lebanon. “We are waiting for your signal to send a flood of mujahideen [fighters] who are waiting at the gates to Lebanon, to deliver you a human slap from Iraq,” Abu Alaa Al-Walaei, secretary general of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, said in a statement published by Iranian state media IRNA. The statement was directed towards Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is a militia group that is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), but is closely linked to Iran. The Washington Institute in 2021 called the group “a splinter of Kataib Hezbollah” that works under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “Everyone… should consider us as Hezbollah forces,” said Walaei, adding, “If a thousand of your troops are martyred, we will provide you with a hundred thousand heroic forces.” Two waves of coordinated explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday have killed at least 32 people and injured thousands in southern Lebanon, according to figures from the Lebanese health ministry. Hezbollah members were among the casualties. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was also injured. Parts of Iraq’s PMF have close ties to Iran and its network throughout the Middle East. Factions like Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada are known for their ties to Lebanese Hezbollah. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since October 7, when Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a massive ongoing offensive on Gaza, killing over 40,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel has also stepped up its strikes in Lebanon and parts of Syria over the past year, targeting Hezbollah and Iranian personnel.
Middle East05-06-2026Oman's main oil firm says production normal at northeastern terminal amid attack reports
Middle East05-06-2026Hezbollah rejects US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, vows response to Israeli strikes
