The United States remains committed to countering the malign influence of Iran, identified as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and aims to degrade and disrupt the capabilities of Iran-aligned militia groups in conducting attacks against U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests.
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 Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order 13224, as amended. HAAA is an Iraq-based militia group aligned with Iran and part of the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI)," a coalition of multiple Iran-aligned militia groups. The IRI has claimed responsibility for numerous recent attacks against U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria. HAAA has also publicly threatened continued attacks on U.S. interests in the region and has been involved in terrorizing Iraqi citizens.
Haydar Muzhir Ma’lak al-Sa’idi, also known as Haydar al-Gharawi, serves as HAAA’s Secretary General. Other members of IRI include Kata’ib Hizballah, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and SDGT in July 2009; Harakat al-Nujaba, designated as an SDGT in March 2019; and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, designated as an SDGT in November 2023.
The IRI has claimed responsibility for several significant attacks against U.S. military personnel and facilities:
- On January 28, 2024, a drone attack involving HAAA killed three U.S. service members at Tower 22 in Jordan.
- On January 20, 2024, a ballistic missile and rocket attack targeted Al Asad Air Base.
- On December 8, 2023, a rocket attack occurred at the U.S. base Conoco Mission Support Site in northeastern Syria.
- On October 23, 2023, drone attacks were launched on U.S. bases at Al-Omar oil field and al-Shaddadi in Syria.
Terrorist designations aim to expose and isolate entities and individuals by denying them access to the U.S. financial system and resources necessary for carrying out attacks. Consequently, all property and interests belonging to those designated today that are within the United States or under control of a U.S. person are blocked. Additionally, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with these entities or individuals.
These actions taken under Executive Order 13224 target terrorists, terrorist organizations' leaders or officials providing support for acts of terrorism that threaten the security of United States nationals or national security interests.
Petitioners seeking removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List should refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.
