عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Report: Israel Sets 35 Strike Targets in Iraq as Sudani Seeks to Rein in Factions

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Hikma movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. (Iraqi government media)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Hikma movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. (Iraqi government media)
TT
20
TT

Report: Israel Sets 35 Strike Targets in Iraq as Sudani Seeks to Rein in Factions

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Hikma movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. (Iraqi government media)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Hikma movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. (Iraqi government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has asked Shiite figures to mediate with Iran-backed armed factions to prevent them from getting involved in the war between fellow Iran-aligned Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel, Iraqi sources said on Tuesday.

The PM launched the efforts after information circulated within the ruling Coordination Framework revealed that Israel had set 35 targets it may strike in Iraq.

The targets may be hit at any moment, and they include political and faction leaders, said a source.

The Iraqi factions have vowed to retaliate to Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week. They announced that they were ready to fight alongside the group in southern Lebanon.

An Iraqi government spokesman had said that the local parties have managed to avoid an escalation, but political circles warned the fears persist that the factions may be dragged to war with Israel.

On Monday, the factions struck the Victoria Base Complex near Baghdad International Airport. The government is concerned that the United States and Israel may retaliate to the attack inside Iraq itself.

Sudani has been working on reining the factions. He recently tasked three influential figures, including a political religious official, with carrying out urgent contacts and meetings with the leaders of armed factions to persuade them to distance themselves from the conflict in Lebanon.

The PM held a regular meeting with the State Administration coalition, which includes the majority of political leaders, to discuss the latest developments in the region and their impact on Iraq, said a government statement.

It stressed the unity of Iraq’s position and its political forces, as well as their backing of the government’s stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Sources said Sudani selected head of the Hikma movement Ammar al-Hakim to act as mediator with the armed factions to stop the escalation.

Despite his efforts, another source doubted that the factions would comply with Sudani or any other figure.

“They realize that the situation is dangerous, but they also believe that this is an existential battle aimed at striking at the very heart of the Axis of Resistance” that comprises Hezbollah and other Iran-backed armed factions in the region.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Hezbollah Acknowledges ‘Shortcomings, Breaches’ in Operations, Security

Hezbollah supporters are seen at a mass funeral for 100 people killed in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon during the latest war with Israel. (AP)
Hezbollah supporters are seen at a mass funeral for 100 people killed in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon during the latest war with Israel. (AP)
TT
20
TT

Hezbollah Acknowledges ‘Shortcomings, Breaches’ in Operations, Security

Hezbollah supporters are seen at a mass funeral for 100 people killed in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon during the latest war with Israel. (AP)
Hezbollah supporters are seen at a mass funeral for 100 people killed in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon during the latest war with Israel. (AP)

For the first time in more than three months since its truce with Israel took effect, a Hezbollah official acknowledged on Tuesday “shortcomings and security breaches.”

According to Nawaf al-Moussawi, Hezbollah's head of resources and borders, the shortcomings and security breaches led to heavy losses for the Iran-backed party in the recent war.

They contributed to the success of Israel’s 2024 pager attacks and the deaths of 4,700 Hezbollah fighters and commanders.

Moussawi said Israel’s gains were not a result of superior intelligence but rather “our own shortcomings, and at times, negligence.”

In a televised interview, Moussawi said Hezbollah could strike Israeli forces effectively if it addressed these weaknesses and resolved its technical and human security breaches.

“The scale of the shortcomings and vulnerabilities is significant,” he added.

His remarks came hours after a different assessment from Hezbollah lawmaker Ali al-Muqdad, who said the group had “fully recovered and restored its organizational structure.”

Political analyst Qassem Kassir, an expert on Hezbollah affairs, said the group is restructuring its political and organizational framework, with some leadership changes already announced and others still undisclosed.

“Hezbollah is currently in a phase of reassessment and reorganization,” Kassir told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“The group is prioritizing evaluating recent events, rebuilding its infrastructure, reconstruction efforts, and preparing for upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections,” he explained.

Retired Gen. Dr. Hisham Jaber, head of the Middle East Center for Strategic Studies, said that Hezbollah has not fully recovered and is still in the process of doing so.

“The leadership gaps, especially in the new leadership and Shura Council, have not been filled yet, and the focus has mostly been on field commanders,” Jaber explained.

He added that Hezbollah still has 90% of its manpower and a large weapons stockpile.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Jaber noted that there have been no public information on internal breaches or betrayals within the group, and investigations are still ongoing.

“Until these investigations are finished, it’s too early to talk about addressing the breaches that occurred during the war,” he said.

Jaber clarified that restructuring Hezbollah and restoring its strength does not mean it will start another war with Israel.

“Launching a war would require certain conditions. After Lebanon’s state-building, Hezbollah cannot unilaterally declare war, or it risks losing its influence,” he said.

Last month, Hezbollah media published an image showing leaders who were killed in the latest war with Israel.

The image included 35 leaders, as well as former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.

Political activist and editor of the Janoubia news website, Ali Amine, said the war with Israel nearly ended Hezbollah.

“The damage was severe and may never be fully repaired. The group’s security and military structure has been permanently weakened,” he explained.

Amin added that while filling leadership roles within Hezbollah may not be difficult, the party’s influence and strength in the region have been seriously damaged.

“Hezbollah is now more cautious in its dealings with Israel, while still declaring its commitment to Lebanon's state framework,” he said. “This reflects the current reality of Hezbollah, once seen by its leaders as a major force in Middle East politics.”