As I rushed inside the compound, urged by the warning of four drones watching us, I knew this was no ordinary interview. This was a meeting with Abu Ala al-Walai, a designated terrorist by the US government, in a safe house in Baghdad. With a backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel, Iran, and the US, the stakes were high.
Inside the building, men with guns lined the hallway as we were greeted warmly by an aide. Despite the label of “terrorist,” I knew it was important to hear all sides of the story. As Abu Ala al-Walai spoke to us, he exuded confidence and defiance. He proudly wore the “terrorist” badge given by the US, believing in the ideology of Ayatollah Khomeini that the US is the biggest evil in the region.
As the secretary-general of the Iran-backed Iraqi armed group, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), Abu Ala al-Walai discussed his group’s military capabilities and their readiness to stand up against Israel. He spoke of a growing arsenal of missiles and drones, ready to support the Islamic Republic in any conflict.
In a chilling statement, Abu Ala al-Walai declared that Israel’s days were numbered and that the Islamic Resistance was prepared to stand with Iran in any all-out war. He showed me flight paths of enemy aircraft in Iraqi airspace, denouncing the US-led coalition’s presence.
As the interview concluded, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in the presence of a man who believed in his cause with unwavering conviction. Despite the controversial label of “terrorist,” Abu Ala al-Walai’s words painted a picture of a man ready to fight for what he believed in, no matter the consequences. It was a rare glimpse into the mindset of those who are often viewed as outcasts in society.