US issues terrorist designations for 4 Iran-aligned militia groups

The US Department of State designated Iran-aligned militia groups (IAMGs) Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), according to a statement, Report informs.

The State Department previously designated all four of these groups as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

"As the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran continues to provide support that enables these militias to plan, facilitate, or directly carry out attacks across Iraq. Iran-aligned militia groups have conducted attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad and bases hosting US and Coalition forces, typically using front names or proxy groups to obfuscate their involvement," reads the statement.

The Department previously designated Kata'ib Hizballah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq as FTOs.