U.S. Labels Four Iraqi Militias as Terrorist Organizations
On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced that four militias based in Iraq have been officially classified as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This move focuses on groups aligned with Iran and aims to address ongoing security concerns in the region.
The State Department identified these groups as Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali. Each of these was previously marked as Specially Designated Global Terrorists earlier this year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these armed groups have shown aggression toward the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and other bases where U.S. and Coalition forces are stationed. They often use front names or proxy groups to hide their true activities.
According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the four militias are supported by Iran and are key players in a larger organization known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. This group has come to prominence following recent hostilities in the region, including the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The Islamic Resistance is believed to be behind numerous attacks across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, and has been connected to the deaths of U.S. service members.
Analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu noted that the Trump administration initially broke a long-standing practice by holding Iran-backed groups accountable without sparking a civil war in Iraq. As the situation evolves, the U.S. continues to target these militias as part of a broader strategy to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
These four groups are also part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, which was originally formed to combat ISIS but has been heavily influenced by Iran. Ben Taleblu emphasized that Tehran uses these militias to maintain a significant presence in Iraq, calling it a “state within a state.”
The ongoing actions against these groups represent a continued effort by the U.S. to address security threats and manage the complex dynamics in Iraq.
