Kataib Hezbollah Archives

Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah militia denies report it will disarm

Seth Frantzman | April 8, 2025

Kataib Hezbollah issued a statement on April 8 rejecting a Reuters report that said it was considering disarmament. Iraq has been under pressure to rein in Iranian-backed militias that are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), of which Kataib Hezbollah is a key member. A member of Iraq’s parliament said the PMF is essential for defending Iraq, and the organization’s units conducted several operations across the country, showcasing their presence.

After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov

Seth Frantzman | March 6, 2025

On March 5, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al Araji said that Baghdad is trying to locate kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen who was abducted in March 2023. Israeli officials have blamed Kataib Hezbollah for kidnapping Tsurkov, and her case has received increased attention in the last two months since the Trump administration entered office.

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders gather in Lebanon for Hezbollah leader’s funeral

Seth Frantzman | February 23, 2025

Falih al Fayyadh, the head of Iraq’s largely pro-Iranian Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), traveled to Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on February 23. Other senior members of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also attended the funeral, and several militia leaders put out statements. Hezbollah-affiliated media claimed approximately 200,000 Iraqis came to Lebanon for the event, though this number is unverified.

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq face an uncertain future

Seth Frantzman | January 28, 2025

Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, collectively part of the Hashd al Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units), face increasing calls to place their arms under state control or lay them down entirely. The fall of the Assad regime, a new administration in Washington, and the Gaza ceasefire have put these groups under the spotlight in Iraqi politics.

Analysis: The role of Iraqi Shia militias as proxies in Iran’s Axis of Resistance

Edmund Fitton-Brown | January 14, 2025

Iraq’s Shia militias play a unique part in Iran’s Axis of Resistance and present distinct challenges for the US, Israel, and the Iraqi state. Notably, a more direct conflict between the militias and the US and Israel would imperil the Iraqi government’s ability to balance its relationships with Iran and the US, along with the country’s essential stability.

Iranian-backed Bahraini militias eulogize killed Hezbollah Brigades commander

LWJ Staff | February 8, 2024

Saraya al-Ashtar, a U.S. designated terrorist organization, and Saraya Wa’ad Allah send their condolences and congratulations to the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades.

Another Iraqi Shia militia threatens the United States over involvement in Israel

Joe Truzman | October 11, 2023

The Hezbollah Brigades have now joined other Iranian proxies and sponsored groups in issuing threats against the United States over the ongoing war in Israel.

U.S. Sanctions Leader of Pro-Iran Terror Group in Iraq

Behnam Ben Taleblu | March 1, 2020

Another member of Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance” has been sanctioned by Washington. How the U.S. enforces its penalty is set to matter more than its announcement.

Hezbollah Brigades official warns Iraqis of working with American troops

Caleb Weiss | February 29, 2020

The security official of Iran’s proxy group Kata’ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) gives Iraqi contractors until March 15 to stop working with US troops.

Hezbollah Brigades official reportedly calls volunteers for suicide bombings

Caleb Weiss | January 3, 2020

The official reportedly tweeted out the statement earlier today. The official website of the Hezbollah Brigades has so far not commented, however.

Iranian-backed Bahraini militias eulogize Soleimani, Muhandis

Caleb Weiss | January 3, 2020

The rare joint statement both eulogizes Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and offers vague threats of retaliation in Bahrain.

Bahraini militias decry U.S. airstrikes on Hezbollah Brigades

Caleb Weiss | December 30, 2019

This is the second time that several Iranian-backed militias in Bahrain have voiced their support of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades after U.S. airstrikes on the group.

Hezbollah Brigades threatens retaliation after U.S. airstrikes

Caleb Weiss | December 30, 2019

Following a deadly rocket attack on a U.S. base in Iraq and subsequent U.S. airstrikes in response, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades threatens to further retaliate by continuing to target U.S. troops.

Competing narratives over the death of a Houthi leader

Caleb Weiss | August 12, 2019

Houthi sources stated Ibrahim al Houthi was killed by the Saudi-led coalition, while Saudi sources state he was killed by a rival faction.

Analysis: Qatar’s ill-timed hostage deal increases pressure on Washington

David Andrew Weinberg & Thomas Joscelyn | April 22, 2017

Qatar recently secured the release of Qatari hostages, including members of the royal family. But its diplomatic victory was marred by reports that a multi-million dollar ransom was paid to a US-designated terrorist group and an al Qaeda-linked joint venture in Syria.

In pictures: Shiite militias operating near Tikrit

Caleb Weiss | March 10, 2015

Several Shiite militias, which are supported by the Iranian Qods Force, and the Iraqi Security Forces have taken over several surrounding towns of Tikrit. These militias have published several photos and videos from these towns in recent days.