Groups · Iraqi Shia militia
Kata'ib Hezbollah
Overview
State says KH was "Formed in 2006 as an anti-Western Shia group" and "has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks against U.S. and Coalition Forces in Iraq." (state.gov)
OFAC's SDN record for KH lists "ISLAMIC RESISTANCE IN IRAQ" among its aliases. (OFAC SDN record 11462)
IRGC Qods Force in US Documents
Iran, through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its external operations force known as the Qods Force, has supported KSS, KH, and other Iran-aligned militia groups with training, funding, and sophisticated weapons
From MEF Research
Kataib Hezbollah, founded by the late Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed by the US together with IRGC Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani on the road from Baghdad Airport in January 2020, is the most militant and efficient.
Leaders
Names, titles and roles exactly as given in US designation documents. Titles reflect the date of the document and may be out of date.
| Name (OFAC Spelling) | Role as Stated | On SDN List Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL-MUHANDIS, Abu Mahdi | 2009-07-02 | OFAC record · justice.gov | |
| AL-HAMIDAWI, Ahmad | 2020-02-26 | OFAC record · state.gov |
History
- 2006 State: KH was formed in 2006. (state.gov)
- 2009-07-02 Federal Register notice: State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization. (federalregister.gov)
- 2009-07-02 Federal Register notice: State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. (federalregister.gov)
- 2009-07-02 KATA'IB HIZBALLAH added to the OFAC SDN List. (OFAC SDN record 11462)
- 2016-09-06 Federal Register notice: State reviewed Kata'ib Hizballah's FTO designation and kept it in place. (federalregister.gov)
- 2020-03-10 Federal Register notice: State designated Ahmad al-Hamidawi, named as Kata'ib Hizballah's leader, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. (federalregister.gov)
- 2021-12-01 Federal Register notice: State reviewed several FTO designations, Kata'ib Hizballah's among them, and kept them in place. (federalregister.gov)
- 2023-11-17 State designated Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and its secretary general as SDGTs; Treasury acted the same day on six Kata'ib Hizballah affiliates. (2021-2025.state.gov)
Designations
| Date | Record | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-11-17 | State Department release | State designated Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and its secretary general as SDGTs; Treasury acted the same day on six Kata'ib Hizballah affiliates. | 2021-2025.state.gov |
| 2021-12-01 | Federal Register notice | Review of the Designations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations of Asbat al-Ansar (and Other Aliases); Harkat al-Mujahideen (and Other Aliases); The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (and Other Aliases); The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (and Other Aliases); Kata'ib Hizballah (and Other Aliases) (86 FR 68295) | federalregister.gov |
| 2021-12-01 | State Department release | State reviewed several FTO designations, Kata'ib Hizballah's among them, and kept them in place. | federalregister.gov |
| 2020-03-10 | Federal Register notice | Designation of Ahmad al-Hamidawi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (85 FR 13969) | federalregister.gov |
| 2020-03-10 | State Department release | State designated Ahmad al-Hamidawi, named as Kata'ib Hizballah's leader, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. | federalregister.gov |
| 2016-09-06 | Federal Register notice | Review of the Designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization of Kata'ib Hizballah (and Other Aliases) (81 FR 61290) | federalregister.gov |
| 2016-09-06 | State Department release | State reviewed Kata'ib Hizballah's FTO designation and kept it in place. | federalregister.gov |
| 2009-07-02 | OFAC SDN List entry | KATA'IB HIZBALLAH: programs IRAQ3, FTO, SDGT; on the SDN List since 2009-07-02 (OFAC enhanced list date). | OFAC SDN record 11462 |
| 2009-07-02 | Federal Register notice | In the Matter of the Designation of Kata'ib Hizballah (and Other Aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization Pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended (74 FR 31788) | federalregister.gov |
| 2009-07-02 | Federal Register notice | In the Matter of the Designation of Kata'ib Hizballah (and Other Aliases) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended (74 FR 31788) | federalregister.gov |
| 2009-07-02 | State Department release | State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. | federalregister.gov |
| 2009-07-02 | State Department release | State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization. | federalregister.gov |
Activity
- 1 attack or clash
- 10 money and logistics events
- 7 counteractions
| Date | Type | Groups | Place | Summary | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-10 | Money and logistics | Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iran (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah. | US Treasury press release |
| 2026-05-28 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah | New York (SDNY) | An eight-count indictment charged Al-Saadi as a Kata'ib Hizballah and IRGC operative involved in nearly 20 attacks and attempts in Europe and the United States. | US Justice Department |
| 2026-05-15 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah | New York (SDNY) | DOJ announced the arrest of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, described as a senior Kata'ib Hizballah member, on terrorism charges over attacks on US citizens and interests. | US Justice Department |
| 2026-04-17 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah, al-Nujaba, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Kata'ib Hezbollah, al-Nujaba, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada. | US Treasury press release |
| 2026-04-07 | Attacks and clashes | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Near Baghdad, Iraq | State announced the release of US journalist Shelly Kittleson, whom it said members of Kata'ib Hizballah had kidnapped near Baghdad. | State |
| 2025-10-09 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. | US Treasury press release |
| 2024-02-07 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iraq | CENTCOM struck in Iraq and killed a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander it held responsible for planning attacks on US forces. | DoD |
| 2024-01-22 | Money and logistics | Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah. | US Treasury press release |
| 2023-11-17 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Kata'ib Hezbollah. | US Treasury press release |
| 2023-11-17 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (designation) | State designated Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and its secretary general as SDGTs; Treasury acted the same day on six Kata'ib Hizballah affiliates. | State |
| 2021-12-01 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (Federal Register notice) | State reviewed several FTO designations, Kata'ib Hizballah's among them, and kept them in place. | Federal Register 86 FR 68295 |
| 2021-03-25 | Money and logistics | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Alexandria, Virginia (EDVA) | The United States seized two websites that prosecutors said Kata'ib Hizballah used unlawfully. | US Justice Department |
| 2020-03-26 | Money and logistics | Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah. | US Treasury press release |
| 2020-03-10 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (Federal Register notice) | State designated Ahmad al-Hamidawi, named as Kata'ib Hizballah's leader, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. | Federal Register 85 FR 13969 |
| 2016-09-06 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (Federal Register notice) | State reviewed Kata'ib Hizballah's FTO designation and kept it in place. | Federal Register 81 FR 61290 |
| 2009-07-02 | Money and logistics | Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah | Iraq (country named most often in the release) | Treasury sanctions action; the release names Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah. | US Treasury press release |
| 2009-07-02 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (Federal Register notice) | State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. | Federal Register 74 FR 31788 |
| 2009-07-02 | Counteractions | Kata'ib Hezbollah | Washington, D.C. (Federal Register notice) | State designated Kata'ib Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization. | Federal Register 74 FR 31788 |
MEF Coverage
MEF-written articles in the local meforum.org archive that mention this group (145 shown; the archive covers 2004-09-01 to 2026-08-28).
- To Combat Iranian Proxies, Trump Should Target Their Penetration of Iraqi Telecom
- Can Iran’s Strategic Capture of Iraq’s Telecommunications be Reversed?
- Inside the Houthi Network in Iraq
- The U.S.-Iran Pause Didn’t Stop Tehran’s Drone War, and This Worries Israel
- The Muslim Brotherhood Reorganizes in Iraq
- Why Purging Iraq’s Security Institutions Matters More than Disbanding Militias
- Tehran Uses Khamenei’s Funeral to Reinforce That Iraq Is Still in Iran’s Orbit
- How Tehran Weaponizes Iraq’s Diplomatic Apparatus
- Iraqi Judge Faiq Zaidan Misleads Washington
- Will Iraq’s New Prime Minister Uphold Rule of Law?
- Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani Lies to President Trump About Militias
- Iraq’s Militia State: Shelly Kittleson’s Kidnapping Exposes Who Runs Baghdad
- Islamic State Editorial: 'Our Aqsa and Our Prisoners'
- Supporters of Shia Army that Killed Hundreds of U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Distribute Food in Nation’s Capital
- Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi on a New IRGC Proxy in Europe
- Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani Is No Longer Acceptable to Washington
- The United States Should Retaliate Against Iranian Embassies
- Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya and Claimed Attacks on Jewish Targets in Europe
- Top U.S. Official Resigns, Blaming Israel, but Iran’s Decades of Terror Tell a Different Story
- In Iraq, Iran’s Proxy Militias Open a Third Front in War Against the US and Israel
- After Khamenei and Larijani, Lebanon’s Nabih Berri and Iraq’s Hadi Amiri and Ali Nizar Must Go
- How Should Trump Respond to the Missile Strike at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad?
- Gulf Situation Assessment: Iran’s Attacks on Arab States Will Backfire
- Iran Strike Scenarios: Retaliation, Transition, and the Path Forward
- The Houthis Can Survive Iranian Regime Change
- The Hub Under Pressure: Day One of the Campaign Against the Shiite Axis
- Dismantling the Iranian Zombie State: Washington’s Strategic Imperative
- A Visit to the Badr Organization's Najaf Branch
- Kata'ib Hezbollah Official on Elizabeth Tsurkov's Detention and Release in Iraq
- Congress Can Crush Iran’s Regime Without Firing a Single Shot
- Will Iran's Regime Rally in Iraq?
- No 'One Size Fits All': Iranian Influence Building in Syria
- U.S. Shows No Apparent Strategy to Counter Kataib Hezbollah's Attacks
- A World without the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Do Iraqis Really Want the Americans to Withdraw?
- Interview with Shaykh Muhammad al-Tamimi of Faylaq al-Wa'ad al-Sadiq
- Kata'ib Hezbollah Announces Suspension of Operations Against the U.S.
- The U.S. Must Reduce Iranian Influence in Iraq
- Why Iran Is Going on the Offensive
- Iranian-Backed Houthis Intensify Provocations in the Red Sea
- Professor Under Fire for Abandoning Kidnapped Princeton Scholars
- 'The Islamic Resistance in Iraq'- A Brief Overview and Analysis
- Iran's Controlled Escalation Against Israel, U.S.
- CRC: Virginia Mosque , ‘We Support Hamas’
- The 'Confessions' of Elizabeth Tsurkov: Translation and Overview
- Why Are the Houthis Attacking Israel?
- Tehran Makes Its Moves on the Border of Israel Amid Gaza Standoff
- Tsurkov Kidnapping Shows Who Really Runs Iraq
- The Disappearance of Princeton Student Elizabeth Tsurkov in Iraq
- U.S.-Israel Wack-A-Mole Strategy Fails to Deter Iran in Syria
- Turkey's Escalating War in Iraq and Syria has Regional Implications
- The Vast Iran-Hezbollah Drone Threat Is Escalating
- Can Syria Handle the New 'Octopus' Doctrine?
- How Concerned Should We Be about the Iranian Drone Threat?
- Iranian Attacks in Iraq Reflect Weakness, Disarray
- Iran and Its Proxies Are Emboldened by Lack of Accountability
- Tehran's Russian Connection
- Is Iran threatening Azerbaijan over Israel Ties?
- Does Killing of Iranian Dissident Foreshadow What Is to Come for Others?
- U.S. Strikes on Pro-Iran Militias Reveal Iran's Arms Trafficking Hub