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On November 3, 2023, Syria-based Egyptian jihadi cleric Yahya Abu Al-Fath Al-Farghali warned Sunni Muslims not to be deceived by the upcoming November 3 speech of the Lebanese Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah regarding his group's position on the ongoing Hamas-Israel war.[1]
Anticipating that Nasrallah would announce his group's participation in the war, the jihadi cleric warned that Sunni Muslims should take his speech with a grain of salt, reminding his Sunni audience that Shi'ite factions, such as Hizbullah, see Sunnis as fuel to advance their agenda.
However, he said he still welcomed the participation of Hizbullah in the war, along with other Iran-backed militias, saying that in the light of Arab rulers' betrayal, the people of Gaza needed any help they can get.
The cleric, until recently, was the top religious official of Idlib Ha'yat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) before being marginalized.
Mocking Nasrallah
Discussing Nasrallah's speech, Al-Farghali mentioned a video that was released on Telegram by media outlets linked to Hizbullah, showing Nasrallah shuffling papers, while making corrections to his speech.[2]
"The Secretary General of the Lebanese Iranian Party, Hassan Nasrallah, announced a speech tomorrow, Friday, about the events in Gaza and the war of extermination taking place in it. He pointed out in an act of show [..] – to the possibility of his participation in the war alongside Hamas and those fighting with it. This is very expected, and this article is not to prove or deny so, but to indicate the situation after he announces his direct participation in the war, along with the rest of the so-called axis of resistance: the rejectionists [a derogatory term for Shi'ites] of Yemen, Iran, and Syria's Nusayriya."
'Shi'ites Consider Sunnis As Apostates, Collaborators With Infidels'
The jihadi cleric warned Sunni Muslims not to show support for groups affiliated with Iran, reminding them that the Shi'ites are enemies of Sunnis and consider them apostates.
Additionally, he underlined that Shi'ites often collaborate with Christians and other "infidels" against Sunnis.
He further claimed that Shi'ites such as Hizbullah and other Iran-backed militias in the region have not really invested in defending Gaza; their words are empty if not accompanied by actions. To strengthen this point, he noted that despite the "massacres taking place over the past three weeks" in Gaza, Shi'ite factions continue to delay their military reaction because they are not enthusiastic enough to shed blood in defense of the Sunnis of Gaza.
Belittling attacks launched against Israel by Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthis) or Hizbullah, the jihadi cleric argued that such attacks are mere propaganda. Yet he anticipated that Iran-backed militias would at some point escalate their attacks because they know that the U.S. and Israel will not respond.
'Houthi Missiles…Are No Longer Useful'
"The Houthi missiles and the acrobatic attacks on Israeli towers are no longer useful in preserving the position of the Axis and its principal state, Iran. [..]Therefore, if the war is prolonged, it will be necessary for them to participate actively in a cautious and deliberate escalation, especially since they know that Israel, America and their allies absolutely do not want to expand the war."
Despite his reservations, and the ideological differences between Sunnis and Iran-backed militias, the cleric welcomed that the latter's participation in the war against Israel, saying:
"There is no doubt that we hope that the Iranian alliance will intervene with all its might in the war. Gaza is now in a state of extreme necessity that requires the effort of every individual."
Meanwhile, he lashed out at Sunni Arab rulers, accusing them of being agents for the U.S. and Israel.
Summarizing the purpose of his article, he said:
"The goal here is to control the rhythm of our emotions, and that Sunnis should not be thrilled by Hassan Nasrallah's [speech] – if he decides to participate in the battle, as happened in the 2006 war."
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