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Shia Clerics Hail Hezbollah as Heroes of Iraq’s War Against ISIS
In a surprise move, Iraq’s Shia clerics have paid a heartfelt tribute to the Lebanese Shia militia group, Hezbollah, for its crucial role in helping the Iraqi military vanquish ISIS in 2017.
A delegation of Shia clerics from Iraq, led by the influential Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, paid a ceremonial visit to Hezbollah’s Beirut headquarters recently, where they presented the group with a commemorative plaque.
Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, in a rare public address, praised the Iraqi clerics for their “acknowledgment of the sacrifices and efforts made by Hezbollah in the war against ISIS.”
Hezbollah’s Military Campaign Against ISIS
Hezbollah, founded in 1982, has long been a crucial player in the Middle East, with a strong presence in Lebanon and Syria. In 2017, the group sent a sizable contingent of military advisers and fighters to Iraq, where they joined forces with Iraqi security forces to take on the ISIS terror network.
Under the leadership of Nasrallah, Hezbollah played a pivotal role in the Battle of Mosul, which saw Iraqi forces retake control of the strategic city from ISIS in July 2017.
A Symbolic Gesture of Gratitude
The visit by the Iraqi clerics was seen as a symbol of gratitude by Hezbollah, which had suffered significant losses in the war against ISIS, particularly in the Battle of Tal Afar in 2017.
The ceremony was attended by top Hezbollah officials, including Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem and Foreign Minister Abbas al-Mustapha.
Hezbollah’s military interventions in Iraq and Syria have not been without controversy, with some critics accusing the group of promoting sectarianism and undermining regional stability.
TAGS: Hezbollah, Iraq, ISIS, Shia militia, Lebanon, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Hassan Nasrallah, Middle East, Shia clerics, war against ISIS.