100 Newborns Named ‘Nasrallah’ in Iraq After Hezbollah Leader’s Assassination
Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Iraq has witnessed widespread anger and mourning, especially among the Shia community. In tribute to the slain leader, around 100 newborns have been named “Nasrallah” across Iraq.
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Health, nearly 100 babies have been registered under the name “Nasrallah” as a tribute to the leader who led Hezbollah for over three decades. Nasrallah was viewed as a symbol of resistance against Israeli and Western influence across the Arab world, particularly among Iraq’s Shia majority.
His assassination triggered large-scale protests throughout Iraq, with demonstrators condemning Israel’s actions and accusing it of violating international law. Baghdad and other major cities saw thousands take to the streets in mourning and anger.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani referred to Nasrallah as “a martyr on the righteous path.” A three-day state mourning period was declared, with vigils held nationwide in memory of the Hezbollah leader.
Nasrallah’s ties to Iraq were deeply rooted in both religious and political ideologies. Born in 1960, he studied Islam in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, where his political views began to take shape. During his time there, he joined the Dawa Party, marking the beginning of his militant and political career.
He became a significant figure in Hezbollah after joining the organization in 1982 following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. Backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah was initially formed to resist Israeli forces. Nasrallah assumed leadership in 1992 after the assassination of his predecessor, Abbas Musawi, and transformed the group into a regional powerhouse.
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah’s influence expanded militarily and politically, assisting groups like Hamas and militias in Iraq and Yemen, all aligned in resistance to Israeli and Western forces.
Nasrallah remained popular in Iraq, particularly among those opposing U.S. involvement in the region following the 2003 invasion, solidifying his image as a symbol of resistance.
Nonetheless, his leadership was not without controversy. While adored by supporters, others viewed him as an Iranian proxy, particularly due to his role in exacerbating sectarian divisions in Lebanon and the Middle East. His participation in the Syrian Civil War, where Hezbollah supported Bashar al-Assad’s regime, polarized Lebanon and alienated many Sunni Muslims.
While Iran, Iraq, and Syria have condemned Nasrallah’s assassination, reactions from other Arab nations, especially those led by Saudi Arabia, have been muted. This response reflects longstanding sectarian divides between Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as diverging geopolitical interests.
Israel’s targeting of Nasrallah seems to be a calculated move to weaken Iranian influence in the region. However, the massive outpouring of support for him in Iraq signals that his legacy of resistance may continue even after his death.
