Baghdad, Iraq – On Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq issued a strongly worded statement calling on all armed factions loyal to what is known as the “axis of resistance” to be fully prepared to wage a “comprehensive war,” stressing that the region is heading towards a “decisive” conflict in defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In its statement, the brigades called upon those they termed “mujahideen brothers” across the globe to prepare for a major confrontation, emphasizing the need for field readiness pending a “declaration of jihad” from religious authorities. The statement also included an explicit reference to escalating military operations to include “jihadist acts amounting to martyrdom operations” should a direct confrontation erupt.
This statement comes at a time when the region is witnessing unprecedented military movements, coinciding with the entry of major US naval vessels into the Central Command area of operations, raising fears that armed factions in Iraq may slide into a direct confrontation that could lead to an expansion of the regional conflict.
In its statement, the brigades called upon those they termed “mujahideen brothers” across the globe to prepare for a major confrontation, emphasizing the need for field readiness pending a “declaration of jihad” from religious authorities. The statement also included an explicit reference to escalating military operations to include “jihadist acts amounting to martyrdom operations” should a direct confrontation erupt.
This statement comes at a time when the region is witnessing unprecedented military movements, coinciding with the entry of major US naval vessels into the Central Command area of operations, raising fears that armed factions in Iraq may slide into a direct confrontation that could lead to an expansion of the regional conflict.
