Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah rejects calls to disarm

Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah has rejected calls to lay down its weapons, with its secretary-general, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, reaffirming the group's loyalty to Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

In a statement, al-Hamidawi said the group was founded "by order of" Khamenei and that its members "have always remained loyal to his path." He also called on Iraq's government and political leaders to align with what he described as the "will of the resistance," Caliber.Az reports. 

Al-Hamidawi warned against cooperating with what he called hostile agendas and said the Iraqi people would determine the country's future.

Kataib Hezbollah was established in 2003 following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The group has long been supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force, although analysts have said its influence over the organisation has diminished since the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

By Sabina Mammadli