US Sanctions Iraqi Militia "Kataeb Hezbollah" against backdrop of Strikes on American Forces

The United States imposed sanctions targeting the Iraqi militia "Kataeb Hezbollah", accusing it of responsibility for the recent attacks targeting Washington and its partners in Iraq and Syria.

The US Treasury Department said in a statement reported by Al-Hurra channel on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on six people affiliated with Kataeb Hezbollah, which the United States had previously classified as a foreign terrorist organization.

Those targeted by the sanctions include a member of the group's main decision-making body, a foreign affairs official, and a military commander who the Treasury Department said is working with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to train fighters.

The sanctions also target an official in the Quds Force, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that controls groups allied with it in the region and that Washington says facilitates travel and training for Kataeb Hezbollah fighters in Iran.

On his part, Brian Nelson, Under Secretary of the US Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence said in a statement, “Today’s step sends a message to Kataeb Hezbollah and all other groups supported by Iran that the United States will use all available means to hold accountable any opportunistic parties seeking to use the situation in Gaza to serve their interests.” .

He added, "We remain fully committed to security and stability in the Middle East and are steadfast in our efforts to obstruct these destabilizing activities."

The sanctions freeze any assets owned by those targeted in the United States and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with them. Those who enter into certain transactions with them also risk being subjected to sanctions.