Iraq has seen a wave of newborns being named after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah following his assassination in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
According to the Iraqi health ministry, nearly 100 babies have been registered with the name Nasrallah as the nation mourns the loss of the influential Shia leader.
Nasrallah, known for his fierce opposition to Israeli and Western influence in the Arab world, commanded immense respect among Iraq's Shia population.
An Israeli media outlet reported that Hassan Nasrallah, the elusive leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, was allegedly suffocated to death after toxic fumes leaked into his secret bunker.
This reportedly occurred following the massive airstrike on the militant group's headquarters in Beirut on 27 September.
His death has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators accusing Israel of violating international law with the strike.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expressed his grief, calling Nasrallah “a martyr on the path of the righteous.”
The government announced a three-day mourning period, during which vigils were held across the country.
Nasrallah’s political career began in Najaf, Iraq, where he studied at a Shia seminary and joined the Dawa party.
He rose to prominence after Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon and assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992 following the assassination of Abbas Musawi.
Hezbollah grew into a regional force under Nasrallah, influencing conflicts across the Middle East and providing support to groups like Hamas.
His popularity in Iraq surged after the US invasion in 2003, cementing his status as a symbol of resistance against Western intervention.
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