Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada Leader Urges Iraqi MPs to Reject U.S. Pressure Over Iran Blockade

Abu Ala al-Walai, leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, has called on members of Iraq’s parliament to push the government to reject what he described as U.S. pressure to support the U.S. blockade against Iran. In a statement published early Saturday, al-Walai said Iraq should not become part of an “unjust blockade” against Iran and that Baghdad’s stance should be “no to the blockade.”

Al-Walai urged MPs to work toward a government decision rejecting U.S. demands, citing Russia and China as countries that, he said, have successfully resisted Western sanctions and “dictate policies.” The statement comes as Baghdad faces growing pressure from Washington to cut support for Tehran.

This week, responding to U.S. sanctions threats, Iraq closed ground services for several Iranian airlines at three major airports, effectively ending flights between the two countries — a decision openly opposed by pro-Iranian politicians in Baghdad. Iraq remains dependent on Iran for trade and gas imports that supply most of the country’s power grid, while its oil exports, mainly through Hormuz, are being severely hampered by the strait’s closure, Al Jazeera reported.

Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, the umbrella of Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have warned they will respond to any U.S. escalation in the region.