Grand Ayatollah Sistani urges solidarity with Lebanon

The Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon has provoked strong reactions from political, religious, and civic bodies in Iraq, reflecting the country’s deep ties to Lebanon, its opposition to Israeli actions, and its solidarity with the Lebanese people.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani released a rare statement yesterday morning. Sistani, who has only issued a couple of statements on Gaza in the past year, condemned the Israeli attacks as a "barbaric" and "savage" assault on the Lebanese people. His statement emphasized solidarity, particularly with the people of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

Sistani focused on the humanitarian impact of the strikes, highlighting the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of thousands, including women and children. His call for an immediate cessation of hostilities also urged international action, imploring global efforts to protect the Lebanese population from further suffering. Sistani’s statements carry significant moral weight in Iraq, not only expressing support for Lebanon but also encouraging Iraqis to engage in humanitarian efforts.

While Sistani’s statement did not directly call for military support for Lebanon, it strongly affirmed the legitimacy of the Lebanese resistance against Israeli aggression. His stance, which emphasized humanitarian relief, was mirrored by the Hashd al-Shaabi, which issued its own statement committing to providing “all types of relief assistance” to Lebanon.