Iraqi PM Denies Blacklisting Hezbollah, Ansarallah Amid Political Storm
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has denied any decision was made to list Hezbollah and Ansarallah as terrorist groups. Speaking in a televised interview, al-Sudani addressed the controversy that erupted after an official document was published in the Iraqi Gazette, appearing to include the two groups on a list of entities associated with terrorism.
The document, which outlined Decision No. 61 by the Committee for Blocking Terrorist Assets, initially listed names of organizations and individuals linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda. However, the inclusion of Hezbollah of Lebanon and Ansarallah of Yemen triggered immediate backlash and political turmoil.
Iraqi media, followed by some Arab networks, reported that Baghdad had frozen the assets of Hezbollah and Ansarallah based on the gazetted version. This news quickly took on political significance, particularly given the pressures from the United States, internal disputes within the Coordination Framework, and challenges in appointing a new prime minister.
The reports sparked a wave of protests on Iraqi social media, with figures aligned with the axis of resistance, including members of parliament, denouncing the move as a “scandal” and a “departure from official Iraqi policies.” Parliamentarian Mustafa Jabbar Sanad criticized the perceived contradiction, stating that Iraq was designating Hezbollah and Ansarallah as terrorists while considering certain “killers” for peace awards, demanding an immediate explanation from the government.
In response to the escalating outcry, the Central Bank of Iraq issued a statement refuting the reports, asserting that the inclusion of Hezbollah and Ansarallah was due to the “publication of an unedited version” of the list. The committee pledged to correct the list and remove the names of the groups in question.
Al-Sudani also mentioned that former U.S. President Donald Trump had requested Iraq’s support for his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize during a phone call. Regarding Iraq’s relations with Syria, al-Sudani affirmed that Baghdad’s ties with Damascus remain within the framework of Iraq’s interests and national security.
He also addressed accusations of supporting normalization with Israel following his participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, claiming his government has been targeted by disinformation campaigns.
