The United States has designated Iraq-based Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya as a terrorist organization as the Biden administration cracks down Iran proxy militias amid Israel’s war in Gaza.

“The United States remains committed to countering Iran’s malign influence, which has been identified as the world’s leading State sponsor of terrorism, and aims to degrade and disrupt the capabilities of Iran-aligned militia groups in carrying out in attacks on US personnel, facilities, and interests.” Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, stated in a statement.

On June 17, 2024, the Department of State designated Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA) and its Secretary General, Haydar Muzhir Ma’lak al-Sa’idi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224, as amended. HAAA is an Iraq-based militia group associated with Iran and a member of the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI),” a coalition of numerous Iran-backed militia groups. The IRI has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks on US military troops in Iraq and Syria. HAAA has also publicly threatened further assaults on US interests in the region, and it has been implicated in harassing Iraqi residents.

Haydar Muzhir Ma’lak al-Sa’idi, commonly known as Haydar al-Gharawi, is the HAAA Secretary General. Other IRI members include Kata’ib Hizballah, who was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and SDGT in July 2009, Harakat al-Nujaba, was designated as an SDGT in March 2019, and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, was also designated as a Special Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in November 2023.

The IRI has claimed responsibility for numerous major strikes on US military personnel and facilities: Three US servicemen were murdered in a drone strike by HAAA on January 28, 2024, in Tower 22 in Jordan. On January 20, 2024, a ballistic missile and rocket attack was launched against Al Asad Air Base. A missile strike happened on December 8, 2023, at the US outpost Conoco Mission Support Site in northeastern Syria. On October 23, 2023, drone attacks were started on US sites in Syria’s Al-Omar oil field and al-Shaddadi.

Terrorist designations seek to expose and isolate entities and persons by denying them access to the United States financial system and the resources required to carry out attacks. As a result, all property and interests belonging to individuals designated today that are in the United States or controlled by a US person are barred. Furthermore, U.S. citizens are generally forbidden from conducting business with these companies or individuals.

These actions under Executive Order 13224 target terrorists, terrorist organization leaders, or authorities who assist in terrorist acts that endanger the security of US citizens or national security interests. Petitioners seeking removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List may consult the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance website.

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