Nouri Al-Maliki mourns Palestinian and Lebanese leaders, declares ‘shift’ in conflict with Israel

BAGHDAD – Former Iraqi Prime Minister and the leader of State of Law Coalition Nouri Al-Maliki extended his condolences to the families of Palestinian and Lebanese leaders killed in recent conflicts, including Yahya Al-Sinwar and Hassan Nasrallah, during a video speech released by his media office. Al-Maliki declared that the nature of the struggle with Israel, which he described as “the Zionist enemy”,  has shifted, now driven by popular Islamic movements and resistance forces, which he said have proven “more resilient” than governments in confronting Israel.

Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, was killed on Oct. 16 by Israeli forces in Gaza. Sinwar, who also led Hamas’s military wing, was instrumental in coordinating attacks against Israel and was widely regarded as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

His death represents a major loss for Hamas. In the past two days, Iraqi officials, political leaders, and armed group figures have issued multiple statements mourning Sinwar’s death.

Although Nouri al-Maliki stepped down as prime minister a decade ago, he continues to play a significant role in Iraqi politics.

Nouri Al-Maliki, during a video speech published by his media office:

I extend my condolences to the family of the martyr Yahya Sinwar, and to all his fellow fighters in Palestine, especially in Gaza. I also reiterate my condolences for the martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, his brothers, and his comrades in the party leadership, may God have mercy on them, who, alongside the Palestinians, taught the enemy great lessons.

Today, the equation of the conflict with the Zionist enemy has changed. The battle of the Arab-Islamic side with Zionism and its supporters, through states, governments, and armies, has ended, and a new battle has begun, led by the people, Islamic movements, and parties who are managing this conflict. They once thought this equation would not hold, would not last long, and that these parties would quickly vanish. However, these parties have proven to be more steadfast and enduring than governments.

The parties and movements at the forefront have demonstrated their ability to immediately replace any martyr, whether leader or fighter, with those capable of continuing the struggle with strength. These confronting forces have achieved what previous generations could not: fierce resistance and war against an enemy equipped with the most advanced weapons, showering them with barrages of rockets and drones, along with field confrontations in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.

The martyrdom of these individuals will not weaken the will of the confronting forces to sustain the conflict against Zionism until the promised divine victory is achieved. Their resolve cannot be broken by strikes here and there. While we deeply grieve the martyrdom of our leaders and fighters, this is the nature of the conflict with a savage regime that seeks to erase every aspect of humanity in the region to perpetuate its brutality.

To all who support this entity: you will not be able to weaken the will of the popular movements and forces from achieving victory, nor will you silence this voice. May God have mercy on the martyr Yahya Sinwar, and may God have mercy on the martyr Hassan Nasrallah. May God bless the fighters who have proven their ability to continue even after the martyrdom of Sayyid Nasrallah. Today, they succeeded in bombing the home of the criminal Netanyahu, which is evidence of their ability to compensate, sustain, and plan.

We are optimistic about the entire nation [Umma] joining this conflict. When the nation enters with its loyal sons, no power on earth will be able to overturn this new equation in the struggle against Zionism. No one had expected the strength of the Islamic side to reach the point where the terrified settlers in their shelters would be bombarded with this many rockets.

To the Islamic countries: if you do not join the battle, do not restrict the fighters and resistance members. Do not prevent them, so that the image can be completed with the popular forces who are sustaining the battle until victory, God willing.