Iran-Backed Militias In Lebanon, Iraq, And Yemen Eulogize Iranian President Raisi As 'Brave Muslim Leader' Who Stood Up To 'American And Israeli Arrogance And Hegemony'

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On May 19, 2024, a helicopter transporting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, among others, crashed in northwestern Iran, leading to the death of its passengers.

In the wake of the crash, Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen released statements expressing condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran for the loss of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other senior Iranian officials.  

Nasrallah Sends Letter Of Condolence To Iranian Supreme Leader Amid "Bitter Struggle With The Forces Of Arrogance And Hegemony"

On May 20, Lebanese Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah sent a letter of condolence to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Al-Ahed News, which is owned by Hizbullah, Nasrallah extended his "deepest condolences and feelings of sympathy" to Khamenei, writing: "We share with you all the feelings and meaning of the loss of these honorable leaders during this sensitive phase, in which you lead the Islamic ummah in its bitter struggle with the forces of arrogance and hegemony and the American and Zionist occupation of our sanctities, our countries, and our peoples."[1]

Separately, Al-Ahed News reported that Hizbullah will hold a ceremony honoring the deceased in Beirut on May 24.[2] Nasrallah is expected to deliver remarks at the event, the outlet noted.

Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades: "The Iranian People Today Stand United In the Face Of This Great Affliction"

The Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades issued a public statement of condolence via the group's website.[3] In it, the Iran-backed militia praised the Iranian people, who, it wrote, "today stand united in the face of this great affliction."

"The security tribulations and the economic crises which the Islamic Republic has gone through and is going through as result of the unjust American blockade are nothing but a tax on its supportive positions for oppressed peoples which the global arrogance wants to force to their knees through its criminal plans in the region," the statement read, continuing, "We ask Allah almighty to bestow his mercy on our deceased and their companions, and to inspire their families, their relatives, and the Iranian people to be patient and steadfast."

Ashab Al-Kahf: Death Of Raisi And Amir-Abdollahian Was "A Delight And Joy To The Zionists"

In a statement issued on Telegram, Ashab Al-Kahf, an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, eulogized President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian for their impactful work in support of Muslims and the Palestinian cause.[4]

The militia wrote: "The influential role played by the two martyrs – the Sayyid Raisi and the Minister Abdollahian – in international forums as far as supporting the issues of the Islamic ummah in general deserves from us great thanks and gratitude, and especially for their great stances in service of the Palestinian cause, even to the extent that their martyrdom was a delight and joy to the Zionists and the followers of the Zionists."

Secretary-General Of The Al-Nujaba Movement: Raisi Was A "Courageous Resistance Fighter Who Always Defended Islam"

The Secretary-General of the Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement, Akram Al-Ka'abi, issued a statement of condolences on X, in which he eulogized the late Iranian president.[5] Al-Ka'abi praised Raisi's "clear jihadi role in defense of the issues of the Islamic ummah," noting: "With his passing, the Islamic Resistance has lost a foundational and firm pillar and a courageous resistance fighter who always defended Islam."

The militia leader also expressed his "complete confidence in the wise leadership of the Islamic Republic" to lead the country though the incident and to "continue in its jihad and support for all the oppressed peoples of the world."

Top Houthi Leaders Express Condolences In Public Statements

On May 20, Houthi leader Abd Al-Malik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi published a statement of condolence. The statement, which was released by the official website of the Ansar Allah Houthi Movement,[6] expressed sympathy with Supreme Leader Khamenei, senior Iranian officials, the families of the deceased, and the Muslims of Iran in general.

Separately, Mahdi Al-Mashat, the President of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, also issued a message on the occasion, in which he eulogized Raisi, calling him a "brave Muslim leader" who "took a firm stance against American and Israeli arrogance." Al-Mashat noted that Raisi's passing is "a great loss for all the people of the Islamic ummah."