BEIRUT: Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a friend to the nation against Israel and allies expressed Monday their condolences following Tehran’s confirmation that President Ebrahim Raisi had died in a helicopter crash.
On Sunday, Palestine’s militant group Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Syria’s government and Iraq-based armed groups mourned his death alongside eight others when a chopper crashed into an outlying mountainside during thick fog.
Iran also lost its foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif; he was known for his anti-Israel rhetoric and his distrust of Western countries.
Hamas described Raisi as a “dignity supporter” for the Gaza-based movement which triggered this coastal area’s deadliest conflict on October 7th with Israel.
Raisi has been commended by Hamas for supporting Palestinian resistance as well as unwavering commitment since war between Israel and Hamas broke out in Gaza
The attack of 7th October that triggered the war was portrayed as success by Iran but was denied any involvement.
Additionally, Hamas hailed Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian’s “immense political and diplomatic efforts to stop Zionist (Israeli) aggression against our Palestinian people.”
Lebanon’s dominant group Hezbollah praised him as being “a true advocate,” who supports them along with other resistance fronts…and a defender of our causes”.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Hezbollah in Lebanon,” it said. The group added it knew Raisi “very well over many years.”
Mohammed Abdulsalam, spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthi rebels said that his passing represented a great loss “for all Muslims worldwide including Palestine and Gaza.”
It stated that Palestinians were “in dire need of the presence of such a President who continued to defend” their right to freedom, having carried out attacks against targets linked with Israel in support of Palestinians.
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad showed solidarity with his close ally Tehran, which has backed him throughout his over ten years of civil war.
According to the Syrian presidency in a statement, Assad “affirmed Syria’s solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and with the families of the late deceased and his comrades.”
In addition, the statement said “We have been working closely with President Raisi on ensuring that strategic relations between Syria and Iran continue to grow stronger.”
Three official days of mourning were announced by Lebanon and Syria.
Hashed al-Shaabi aka Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces extended their condolences too. They noted that Raisi had “always declared that Iraq and Iran are one people that cannot be separated”.
Hashed is part of a state apparatus under the prime minister’s authority also including several pro-Iranian militias.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani stated that “we stand in solidarity with Iranian people”.
