Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah says senior security official killed Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah says one of its senior security officials has been killed. The group’s secretary general confirmed the death of Abu Ali al-Askari, a prominent spokesperson and security figure within the Iran-aligned faction. In a statement, the organisation mourned Askari, describing him as a key figure in its leadership. Kataib Hezbollah operates as one of Iraq’s most powerful armed groups and forms part of the country’s network of Iran-aligned factions.