US sanctions Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanders over attacks on American forces

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US Department of the Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against seven Iraqi militia commanders accused of orchestrating attacks against American personnel and interests in Iraq, in a move Washington says targets Iran-backed armed groups operating in the country.

In a statement, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the individuals are senior figures in groups including Kata’ib Hizballah, Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haqq, Harakat Al-Nujaba, and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, which it described as “some of Iraq’s most violent Iran-aligned militia organizations.”

The announcement of the sanctions follows a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted nearly 40 days of war, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran.

In retaliation, Tehran and its affiliated militia groups in Iraq carried out thousands of drone and missile attacks against Israel and US interests in the region, including those in the Kurdistan Region.

According to the OFAC, the sanctioned militia commanders have been responsible for "planning, directing, and executing attacks against U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq,” adding that the groups “operate with near impunity” while “undermining Iraq’s sovereignty and democratic processes.”

In late March, Kata’ib Hezbollah abducted American journalist Shelly Kittleson in central Baghdad in broad daylight and released her a week later, provided that she should leave the country immediately.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would continue to respond to such threats.

“We will not allow Iraq’s terrorist militias, backed by Iran, to threaten American lives or interests,” the statement cited him as saying. “Those who enable these militias’ violence will be held accountable.”

Among those named were three commanders affiliated with Kata’ib Hizballah - Ammar Jasim Kadhim al-Rammahi, Radhwan Yousif Hameed Almohammed, and Hasan Dheyab Hamzah - accused of directing and coordinating attacks against US forces. The Treasury also designated Safaa Adnan Jabbar Suwaed of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haqq, Khalid Jameel Abed Albakhatra and Saeed Kadhim Mukhamis of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Husham Hashim Jaythoom of Harakat al-Nujaba.

The statement noted that some of the groups have claimed responsibility for thousands of attacks and have received funding, training, and weapons support from Iran. It also said Asa’ib Ahl al-Haqq had used Iranian drones to target US and coalition forces in northern Iraq as recently as March 2026.

Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. OFAC warned that foreign financial institutions facilitating significant transactions for those designated could face secondary sanctions.

“The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the statement added.