Iraqi militia leader Qais Al-Khazali in visit to Karbala after weeks of no public appearances

BAGHDAD — Qais Al-Khazali, secretary general of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, visited the shrines of Imams Hussein and Abbas in Karbala on Monday, marking his first public appearance in weeks.

The media office of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq released a brief statement: “Coinciding with the anniversary of the birth of the Lady of the Women of the World, Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), Sheikh Qais Al-Khazali had the honor today, Monday, of visiting the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon them) in holy Karbala.”

A video circulating on social media platforms shows Al-Khazali inside the sacred shrine, despite recent social media rumors. Speculation had been rife on social media and various news outlets regarding his well-being, with some reports suggesting he had sustained injuries in an airstrike.

Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais Al-Khazali, is part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed Shia militias. These groups have launched multiple drone and missile attacks on Israel since October 2023, claiming responsibility for over one hundred such attacks. This escalation has increased concerns about potential Israeli retaliatory airstrikes targeting these militias.