The United States remains committed to countering the malign influence of Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, and to degrading and disrupting the ability of Iran-aligned militia groups to conduct attacks against U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests.
Today, the Department of State is designating Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA) and HAAA Secretary General Haydar Muzhir Ma'lak al-Sa'idi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended.
Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya is an Iraq-based, Iran-aligned militia group and part of the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI)"- a front group comprised of multiple Iran-aligned militia groups. The IRI has claimed responsibility for dozens of recent attacks against U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria. Additionally, HAAA has publicly threatened to continue attacking U.S. interests in the region. HAAA has also terrorized the Iraqi people. Haydar Muzhir Ma'lak al-Sa'idi (aka Haydar al-Gharawi) is HAAA's Secretary General.
Other IRI members include:
- Kata'ib Hizballah - designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and SDGT in July 2009
- Harakat al-Nujaba - designated as an SDGT in March 2019
- Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada - designated as an SDGT in November 2023
Claimed IRI attacks against U.S. military personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria include:
- January 28, 2024, drone attack involving HAAA that killed three U.S. service members at Tower 22 in Jordan.
- January 20, 2024, ballistic missile and rocket attack targeting Al Asad Air Base.
- December 8, 2023, rocket attack on the U.S. base Conoco Mission Support Site in northeastern Syria.
- October 23, 2023, drone attacks on U.S. bases at Al-Omar oil field and al-Shaddadi in Syria.
Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks. As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property of those designated today that are in the United States or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Moreover, designations can assist law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and governments.
Today's actions are being taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, leaders and officials of terrorist groups, and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. HAAA is being designated for having committed or attempted to commit, posing a significant risk of committing, or having participated in training to commit acts of terrorism that threaten the security of United States nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. Haydar Muzhir Ma'lak al-Sa'idi is being designated for being a leader of HAAA.
Petitioners requesting removal of those designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List should refer to the Department of State's Delisting Guidance page.
