US imposes new sanctions on 'Kataib Hezbollah, IRGC Quds Force, Hamas'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: US Department of the Treasury
23 Jan 2024 00:00

Prior US actions in October and May of 2022 allegedly also aimed at "dismantling sources of support and financing for the Palestinian resistance."

This June 6, 2019, file photo shows the US Treasury Department building at dusk in Washington (AP)

The Treasury Department said in a news release on Monday that the US has unveiled fresh sanctions against people and organizations associated with Hamas, Kata'ib Hezbollah, and the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC-QF).

According to the release, the US also worked with Australian and UK authorities to target several networks of financial exchanges in the Gaza Strip that allegedly are associated with Hamas, as well as the owners and associates of these networks.

Of particular interest are financial facilitators who have been accused of being instrumental in transferring funds from the IRGC-QF to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.

The sanctions allegedly aim to "disrupt financial networks affiliated with Hamas in Gaza", including those facilitating cryptocurrency transfers, and mark a coordinated effort with the UK and Australia.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson, pointed out the diverse financial mechanisms employed by Hamas, stating: "Hamas has sought to leverage a variety of financial transfer mechanisms, including the exploitation of cryptocurrency, to channel funds to support" the group’s resistance activities.

Prior US actions in October and May of 2022 also aimed at dismantling sources of support and financing for the Palestinian resistance.

Fly Baghdad, over several years, is accused of aiding the operations of IRGC-QF and its allies by transporting personnel and equipment throughout the region.

The airline allegedly delivered weapons to Damascus International Airport in Syria for transfer to IRGC-QF and the resistance Axis, including Lebanese Hezbollah and Kataib Hezbollah.