U.S. targets Iraqi airline, its CEO and Hamas cryptocurrency financiers for sanctions

Source: Associated Press

U.S. targets Iraqi airline, its CEO and Hamas cryptocurrency financiers for sanctions

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN AND ABBY SEWELL
Updated 12:17 PM EST, January 22, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Monday hit Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO with sanctions, alleging assistance to Iran’s military wing — and in addition, imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for abuse of cryptocurrency since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The sanctions come as Israel’s bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip continues — killing 25,000 Palestinians so far, according to the Gaza Strip Healthy Ministry— and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq launch regular strikes against bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.

In the new sanctions announced Monday, Treasury said Fly Baghdad and its CEO Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani have provided assistance to Iran’s military wing and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. A representative from the firm was not immediately available.

“Iran and its proxies have sought to abuse regional economies and use seemingly legitimate businesses as cover for funding and facilitating their attacks,” said Treasury Undersecretary Brian E. Nelson in a statement. “The United States will continue to disrupt Iran’s illicit activities aimed at undermining the stability of the region.”

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hamas-hezbollah-israel-gaza-iran-ec177d99010a316057583e1ce088bf94