“Not Israel, but Riyadh”

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Old Footage: "Not Israel, but Riyadh"

A video stated to belong to the years 2015-2016 shows Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (real name Jamal Jaafar Mohammed Ali al-Ibrahimi) delivering a speech targeting Saudi Arabia as the primary objective. The footage was taken from a documentary prepared by an organization close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards called "Owj" and resurfaced in 2020.

Who, where, when?
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was an Iraqi figure born in 1954. He was one of the founders of Kataib Hezbollah and the former deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi). Known for his close ties to Iran, he was killed alongside Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike on January 3, 2020.
The footage does not consist of an official interview; it is from an intimate, informal conversation during or immediately after documentary filming. The conversation likely took place in Iraq or during his regional activities with an Iranian media crew. It is dated between 2015 and 2016, which corresponds to the years of the fight against ISIS.

Turkish translation of what is spoken (according to the video subtitles and known versions):

"When we destroy Israel…"

"Not Israel, but Riyadh."

"Riyadh?"

"By God, we are continuing towards Riyadh."

In a broader context, similar clips also convey al-Muhandis's remarks stating, "Before I become a martyr, I want to see the destruction of Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, not Israel," and that America will be destroyed by Trump's hand.

The footage reflects statements that emerged during the period of Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry and proxy wars. Although the original X post included the allegation of a plan targeting Mecca and Medina, the video does not directly target these cities, but rather Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi regime in general. The connection to the Houthis comes up in the context of attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Yemen against Saudi targets at that time.

Such old footage frequently recirculates during regional tensions.