“Today’s designations seek to deny HAN and al-Kabi the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks,” the Department of State said in a statement.
As a result of this new designation, all of HAN and al-Kabi’s property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked. Americans are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.
HAN was established in 2013 by al-Kabi. The organization is an Iran-backed Iraqi militia funded by, but not under the control of, the Iraqi government. HAN operates out of loyalty to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and, according to the Department of State, al-Kabi has publicly claimed that he would follow any order, including overthrowing the Iraqi government or fighting alongside the Houthis in Yemen, if Ayatollah Khamenei declared it to be a religious duty.
HAN likewise has close ties with IRGC-QF Commander Qassem Soleimani and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Both Soleimani and Nasrallah are Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The Department of the Treasury designated al-Kabi in 2008 under E.O. 13438 for planning and conducting multiple attacks against coalition forces, including mortar and rocket launches into the International Zone.
“The United States will continue to stand firm against Iran’s malign behavior and efforts to undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and stability,” said the Department of State’s statement. “Terrorist designations expose and isolate organizations and individuals and deny them access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of US agencies and other governments.”