The United States has imposed sanctions on the Iraqi low-cost airline Fly Baghdad, citing its alleged assistance to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and proxies. The sanctions also target leaders of a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia.
The US Treasury Department claims that Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iranian armed group in Iraq, has conducted a series of drone and missile attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria.
The Treasury alleges that Kataeb Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq have expressed support for the Hamas terror group and declared their commitment to attacking US personnel.
According to the Treasury Department, Fly Baghdad and its CEO, Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani, supported the Quds Force by transporting material and personnel throughout the region, including weapons.
The airline is accused of being involved in transferring hundreds of Iraqi fighters in support of Iranian proxies’ attacks on Israel since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
The latest sanctions target a senior Kataeb Hezbollah member and drone specialist, as well as a company allegedly used for money laundering and its manager.
Designated individuals’ properties in the United States are blocked and must be reported, and financial institutions and others are restricted in their transactions with the sanctioned entities.
