Hezbollah leader's death sparks regional unrest and mourning
After the death of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, Iranian authorities organised massive anti-Israeli rallies. They accused the USA of being an accomplice in the attack. Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran announced several days of national mourning.
The Lebanese government convened an emergency meeting during which it declared a three-day mourning period, lasting from Monday to Wednesday. Nasrallah's death was regarded as martyrdom, and his death was seen as another victim of the "criminal Israeli aggression against Lebanon." Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on all parties to unite for the good of the country.
Hezbollah, being both a political party and part of the Lebanese government, has an entrenched position in Lebanon, reminds "The New York Times."
In some parts of Lebanon, there is a stronger military presence, preparing for possible reactions from Hezbollah supporters and opponents of the Shia movement, writes the BBC News portal.
Five-day mourning in Iran
Iran's Supreme Leader, the chief sponsor of Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in the region, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared on Saturday a five-day mourning period following Nasrallah's death. In a message broadcast on state television, he said that "the resistance movement led by Hezbollah will decide the fate of the region."
The Iranian parliamentary national security committee demanded a strong response to Israel's actions. In many regions of the country, rallies in support of Hezbollah were organised, during which the Jewish state was condemned. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the United States "cannot deny" its involvement in Nasrallah's death. In mourning, a black flag was hoisted at the Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, the main Shia pilgrimage centre in Iran, as reported by the Iranian Tasnim agency.
"Shameful crime"
Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani, who came to power with the support of groups funded by Iran and tied to Hezbollah, declared a three-day mourning period in the country. Sudani condemned the killing of the Hezbollah leader, calling it a "shameful crime," showing that Israel "has crossed all red lines".
Houthi fighters issued a statement in which they promised that "the resistance will not be broken, and the spirit of jihad among the mujahideen brothers in Lebanon and on all fronts will grow stronger." Both Hezbollah and the Houthis are part of the so-called axis of resistance, an alliance created by Iran against Israel and US influence in the Middle East.
The Houthis have repeatedly carried out drone and missile attacks on Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden to show support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, have also launched rockets and drones towards Israel.
The Israeli army reported on Saturday at 11:00 GMT that Hassan Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over 30 years, was killed in an Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut the previous day. The Lebanese group later confirmed this information.
