U.S. has imposed sanctions on six individuals associated with the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataeb Hezbollah, held responsible for a series of recent assaults on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria following Hamas’ October 7 attacks against Israel.
According to AP report, the sanctioned individuals include the militia’s foreign affairs chief, a council member, its military commander, and a media spokesperson.
These measures restrict access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prohibit their engagement in transactions with Americans.
Continued tensions in the region have seen a surge in drone attacks targeting U.S. bases in Iraq, with three additional assaults confirmed on Friday, bringing the total to at least 60 attacks on U.S. and coalition military facilities in Iraq and Syria.
The recent strikes included a drone attack at Al Harir air base in Erbil, with no reported casualties but ongoing assessments of infrastructure damage; multiple drone strikes at Al Asad air base in Iraq, causing no injuries or damage; and another drone attack at Tall Baydar, Syria, causing minor injuries to one service member.
The threat of attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias stems from U.S. support for Israel.
Kataeb Hezbollah is identified by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control as being supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force and designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department.
Brian E. Nelson, Treasury’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to security and stability in the Middle East, emphasizing efforts to disrupt destabilizing activities.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in the reported deaths of at least 11,470 Palestinians, mostly women and minors, with approximately 2,700 individuals reported missing.
In Israel, around 1,200 people, primarily during the initial attack, have been killed, and about 240 individuals were captured by militants.