Iraqi Armed Group Kataeb Hezbollah Dismisses US Sanctions as “Ridiculous”
The powerful pro-Iranian armed group Kataeb Hezbollah in Iraq has criticized the recent sanctions imposed by the United States over attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon reported more than 55 attacks on American forces in these two countries since mid-October, coinciding with Israel’s conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza.
In a statement released on Telegram, Kataeb Hezbollah spokesman Abu Ali Al-Askari referred to the attacks by “the Islamic resistance in Iraq” as part of a “strategy of attrition.” He dismissed the sanctions as ineffective and labeled the inclusion of certain individuals in the American sanctions list as “ridiculous.” Askari emphasized that these actions would not deter their courageous fighters.
The US Treasury announced on Friday that it had sanctioned six individuals affiliated with Kataeb Hezbollah, as well as the leader of another pro-Iranian group in Iraq, which Washington claims was also involved in attacks against US troops. According to the Treasury’s statement, Kataeb Hezbollah receives training, funding, and support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The group has been implicated in a series of recent attacks against the United States and its partners in Iraq and Syria, following Hamas’ attacks on Israel.
Israel experienced attacks launched by the Iran-backed Palestinian group on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials. In response, Israel launched a relentless air, land, and naval assault on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 12,000 people, according to the Hamas government.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, attacks on US forces in the region have caused minor injuries to dozens of troops, primarily through rocket or drone attacks claimed by a group known as “the Islamic resistance in Iraq.” According to Al-Askari, these calculated strikes are part of a strategy to wear down the enemy and determine the level of escalation, trajectory, and timing of operations.
Designated as a “terrorist organization” by the US State Department in 2009, Kataeb Hezbollah has been a significant player in Iraq’s political and security landscape. With its close ties to Iran, the group has consistently challenged US influence in the region.
The United States currently maintains approximately 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and another 900 in Syria as part of efforts to prevent the resurgence of the Daesh group. However, the attacks on US troops by Kataeb Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian groups pose a significant challenge to American military presence and influence in the region.
The recent sanctions imposed by the United States on Kataeb Hezbollah and its affiliates reflect Washington’s determination to hold these groups accountable for their actions. However, the group’s dismissive response suggests that they remain undeterred and will continue their operations against US forces.
As tensions persist in the region, it remains to be seen how the United States will respond to these ongoing attacks and whether further measures will be taken to counter the influence of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq and Syria. The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East and the challenges faced by all parties involved in maintaining stability and security in the region.