Iraq’s committee for freezing terrorist assets has called it a mistake to include Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi movement, Ansar Allah, on a list of terrorist groups whose funds should be blocked.
In a statement carried by the INA news agency, the committee said the list had inadvertently named several organizations “not involved in any terrorist activity.” Authorities had only approved adding individuals and entities linked exclusively to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda (both banned in Russia) the statement explained. The inclusion of other names occurred because the list was published before amendments were finalized. The committee said the version published in Iraq’s official gazette on November 17 will be corrected.
Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani has ordered an urgent investigation into the mistake and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Earlier, Shafaq News reported that Iraq had added Hezbollah and the Houthis to its terrorist asset-freezing list. A government spokesperson told the portal the move was part of Baghdad’s effort to align its regulations with international anti-terrorism standards and requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Since 2003, Iraqi authorities have generally tried to keep distance from the Axis of Resistance, which includes Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran‑allied Shia militias in Iraq and Yemen. However, Shia factions in Iraq have maintained political and logistical ties with both Hezbollah and the Houthis. Ansar Allah even opened an office in Baghdad to strengthen cooperation with Iraqi groups, though US pressure later curtailed such activities. After the Gaza war broke out in 2023, Iraqi armed factions carried out several joint rocket and drone attacks against Israel alongside the Houthis.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: MohammadHuzam/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS