Kataib Hezbollah leader says no celebration after Iran-Israel war, calls conflict part of ‘doctrinal battle’

BAGHDAD — The head of Kataib Hezbollah said Wednesday that Iran emerged “unbroken” from its recent conflict with Israel and its allies but warned that the war was far from over, calling it part of a broader “ideological” struggle.

In a statement released by the group, Secretary-General Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi said, “We suppress joy and avoid celebration following the martyrdom of the faithful group,” adding, “Doctrinal wars do not end until the Day of Judgment.”

He framed the conflict as a battle “between the soldiers of God and the soldiers of Satan,” and claimed Iran remained “firm and more resilient” despite being targeted by what he described as “the forces of global arrogance, including the United States, Western countries, the Zionist entity, and regional agents.”

Kataib Hezbollah is one of several Shia factions that form the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a coalition that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on U.S. and Israeli positions in Iraq and Syria, especially following the start of the Gaza war in late 2023.

Hamidawi said “the enemies failed to achieve any of their objectives” in the latest round of fighting but emphasized that losses among Iranian fighters meant the group would refrain from public celebration. He also called for “constant readiness and continuous development” in preparation for future battles, saying the next round should be “more devastating to the enemy.”

While pro-Iran groups have declared the conflict a victory, Iran suffered significant losses during the 12-day confrontation. Israeli strikes targeted key nuclear and military sites, including facilities at Natanz and Fordow, as well as ballistic missile storage centers. At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were reported killed, along with multiple senior commanders in the Revolutionary Guard.

Hamidawi’s remarks echo those made earlier this week by Qais Al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl Al-Haq militia, who described Iran’s endurance as a “clear victory,” and by the Islamic Dawa Party, led by former Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, which called the outcome a “divine victory.”