(New York, N.Y.)—Counter Extremism Project CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace issued the following statement in response to today’s decision by the U.S. Department of State to sanction four Iran-aligned militia groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under U.S. law:

“The Counter Extremism Project strongly commends the State Department for its decisive action in designating Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN), Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA), and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali (KIA).

“These groups, all members of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) umbrella organization, are directly supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They are behind a range of acts of terrorism, including attacks on U.S. troops, coalition forces, and civilian infrastructure. Notably, HAAA was specifically part of the drone attack on Tower 22 in Jordan, which killed three U.S. service members in January 2024.

“The designation of these entities as FTOs is a critical step toward holding the Islamic Republic of Iran and its network of violent and terrorist proxies accountable. It also serves as a warning to those who seek to destabilize the Middle East through terrorism and extremism.

“Iran’s continued support for terrorist groups across the region remains a direct threat to the safety of Americans and our allies. The United States must remain vigilant and resolute in countering Tehran’s efforts to expand its influence through asymmetric warfare and terror.

“We applaud the State Department for taking this bold step and reaffirm our full support for U.S. efforts to degrade and dismantle terrorist networks tied to the Iranian regime.”

Harakat al-Nujaba (lit. “Movement of the Noble Ones”), established in 2013, has pledged loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader and is one of the most aggressively anti-American groups under the Iranian proxy umbrella, repeatedly attacking U.S. bases in Syria. Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (“Masters of the Martyrs Brigade”), which developed from the powerful and notorious Kata’ib Hezbollah, has endangered American and coalition personnel in both Iraq and Syria. Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (“Loyal Supporters of Allah Movement”) played a key role in the deadly January 2024 drone attack on Tower 22 in Jordan, killing three U.S. service members. Kata’ib al-Imam Ali (“Imam Ali Battalion”), formed in 2015 as the armed wing of Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah (“Movement of the Islamic Iraq”), has coordinated with other terrorist groups to plan and execute attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic interests, while maintaining close ties with Hezbollah and Iranian forces.

To read CEP’s group report on Harakat al-Nujaba, click here.

To read CEP’s group report on Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, click here.

To read CEP’s report on the IRGC, click here.