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On May 12, 2023, Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq movement, a pro-Iranian Iraqi Shi'ite militia, released a statement condemning Israel's strikes targeting senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and vowing to continue to support the Palestinian people's resistance against the "usurper occupation."[1]
Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq condemned the assassination of PIJ senior officials as a "murderous act," part of Israel's "notorious systematic aggression against the persevering Palestinian people."
While expressing condolences for the "martyrdom" of Palestinian resistance commanders, the statement reiterated the militia's unconditional support for the Palestinian armed groups.
"We renew our position to continue to assist the Palestinian people's resistance to the usurper occupation. We pledge to provide all we can to back and champion our comrades, resistance operatives and the Palestinian people to recoup their occupied homeland from the filth of the treacherous Zionists," the statement declares.
Also, Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq intreated the world's governments and peoples to take an adequate humanitarian stance to put an end to the "occupation's crimes," which, the group stated, "crossed all limits and cannot be tolerated any further."
The official media office of Qais Al-Khazali, Secretary General of the Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq reported that the same day Al-Khazali had a phone conversation with PIJ's Secretary General Ziyad Al-Nakhala, during which Al-Khazali congratulated Al-Nakhala on the "martyrdom" of PIJ commanders during the recent clashes with the Israeli forces.[2]
During the conversation, Al-Khazali reiterated Iraq's position in support of the Palestinian cause, and asserted that the Iraqi militias "will provide everything in their power to assist the Palestinian people in the fight against the Zionist tyranny."
For his part, Al-Nakhala, expressed gratitude to the Iran-backed Iraqi militias for their assistance, declaring PIJ's "utmost readiness to confront the Israeli occupation," and "high spirits" prevailing among the group's operatives.
Last month, on April 13, PIJ's Secretary General Al-Nakhala arrived in Baghdad at the head of a high-ranking delegation in response to an Iraqi official invitation to participate in Al-Quds Day event, an Iran-sponsored event held annually to express support for the Palestinian struggle against Israel.
During a meeting with Iraqi officials in Baghdad, Al-Nakhala said that the visit reflects "a strong message to Israel regarding Iraq's position which is in support of the Palestinian people," noting the outcome will have "a great impact on the region."[3]
It is notable that similar anti-Israel statements and declarations were published at the start of the escalation in the Gaza Strip and in the days that followed, by other Iran-backed Shi'ite militias in Iraq, among them Hizbullah Brigades, Faylaq Al-Wa'd Al-Sadiq, and Sayyid Al-Shuhada' Brigades.[4]
[1] Telegram, May 12, 2023.
[2] Telegram, May 12, 2023.
[3] See MEMRI JTTM report Head Of Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement Visits Baghdad On Al-Quds Day To Discuss 'Iraq's Support To Palestinian Resistance Against Israel', April 13, 2023.
[4] See MEMRI JTTM report Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Urge Palestinians To Continue To Fight Israel, Express Full Willingness To Assist With Weapons And Manpower, May 11, 2023.
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