Hassan Nasrallah's Funeral: Iraqi Militia Response and Attendance

About the Authors

Ameer al-Kaabi is an Iraqi analyst with a decade of experience examining the country's security and political events. He specializes in intra-Shia political affairs and the activities of Iran-backed militias.

Hamdi Malik

Hamdi Malik is an associate fellow with The Washington Institute and cofounder of its Militia Spotlight platform.

Michael Knights

Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.

Brief Analysis

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Senior militia leaders appeared too cowed to attend, but a wide assortment of Iraqi "resistance" figures and political aspirants did show up, including potential future candidates for prime minister.

On February 23, Lebanese Hezbollah held its official funeral for deceased leader Hassan Nasrallah. The event garnered significant attention and enthusiastic support from Iraqi militias, who placed great emphasis on the proceedings. Several high-profile Iraqi figures and factions were present at the funeral, reflecting the strong ideological ties between Hezbollah and Iraq’s muqawama (resistance).

Fayyadh_Abu Fadak_Nasrallah Funeral — Figure 1: Fayyadh and Abu Fadak attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut.

Eqabi_Nasrallah Funeral — Figure 2: Eqabi attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut.

Iraqi Government Officials and MPs

A number of Iraqi government figures attended the funeral, demonstrating the political significance of the event:

Adil_Aal Mosafer_Nasrallah Funeral — Figure 3: Fresh from being warmly hosted in the UK, Aal Mosafer and Adil attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut.

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Leadership: Among the attendees were top PMF officials, including U.S.-designated human rights abuser Falih al-Fayyadh and U.S.-designated terrorist Abdul Aziz al-Mohammedawi (Abu Fadak) (Figure 1). Also in attendance was Mohannad al-Eqabi, head of PMF media department (Figure 2). Media reports suggest that on February 22, the Iraqi delegation which included U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization leaders, traveled to Lebanon aboard an Iraqi presidential aircraft, which is sanctionable material support to terrorism.
The Iraqi government delegation included at least two senior advisors to Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani who attended the funeral in Beirut: Emad al-Mosafar and Salam Adil (Figure 3). Both serve in the Prime Minister’s Office and are known for their close ties to the muqawama militias. Al-Mosafar and Adil were also part of Sudani’s recent delegation to the United Kingdom.
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Figure 4: Aboudi attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut, in evident emotional distress over Nasrallah.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Member of U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Asaib Ahl al-Haq Naim al-Aboudi attended in his official capacity (Figure 4).
Former Prime Minister: Adil Abdul-Mahdi, a political godfather-like figure to the militias, was also present at the funeral.
Mustafa Sanad, an "independent" MP supported by U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Kataib Hezbollah) (figure 5).
Youssif Al-Kilabi, another "independent" MP known for his close ties to the muqawama militias, especially Badr.

Militia Presence

Sanad_Nasrallah Funeral — Figure 5: Sanad attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut.

Various militia groups played a significant role in the funeral, with high-profile leaders, members, and media figures actively participating.

Kataib Hezbollah (KH)

KH had a strong presence at the funeral, deploying many of its members. KH flags were prominently displayed throughout the event, and many members concealed their identities by wearing masks.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH)

Two senior AAH leaders attended:

Jawad al-Talibawi, Chief of Staff for AAH, who son-in-law was recently implicated as the killer of U.S. citizen Stephen Troell.
Mohammed al-Tabatabai, Deputy Secretary-General of AAH (Figure 6)

AAH Secretary-General Qais al-Khazali did not attend the funeral in Beirut but on the same day delivered a televised speech mourning Nasrallah and pledging to continue Hezbollah’s mission, including the goal of annihilating Israel.

Harakat al-Nujaba (HaN)

AAH_HaN_Nasrallah Funeral — Figure 6: Tabatabai, Talibawi and Asadi attending Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut.

Represented at the funeral by Ali al-Asadi, head of HaN’s political office (Figure 6)

HaN leader Akram al-Kaabi also did not attend the funeral in Beirut but issued a statement on the same day mourning Nasrallah and reaffirming HaN’s commitment to Hezbollah’s ideological path and continued “resistance” against Israel and Western influence.

Badr Organization

A mid-level delegation from the Badr Organization led by Abu al-Akbar al-Zirjawi was present at the event.

Badr leader Hadi al-Ameri also did not physically attend the event.

The Hikma Movement
Hassan Fadam al-Janabi, a high-ranking member of the Hikma Movement. He is a former MP known for his close ties to the muqawama militias and particularly to Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Other Key Figures

Hamid al-Husseini – Head of the Iraqi Radio and Television Union, a key media figure within the militia network, who is also a high-ranking official in the U.S. designated Islamic Radio and Television Union. Husseini is also a member of KH (Figure 7).
Abdul Sada Al-Furaiji – Head of Al-Fadhila political office, operating within the Coordination Framework.
Abdul-Hussein Abtaan – former Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports and a perennial wannabe prime minister who will no doubt throw his hat in the ring after the October 2025 elections (Figure 8).

Militia Media and Social Media Figures