Armed drones used by Iran-backed militias against US and partners constitute new form of asymmetric warfare
Iran’s drone program has identified chink in its opponents’ armor and is actively exploiting this vulnerability
Updated 50 min 48 sec ago
Paul Iddon
May 24, 2021 22:06
IRBIL, IRAQ: The drone threat posed to US and coalition personnel by Iran-backed militias is growing, and defenses against such threats remain limited particularly in the face of Tehran’s growing capabilities. That was the clear message delivered by the US military commander in the Middle East during his most recent visit to Iraq.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie’s warning came in the wake of a rash of drone attacks launched by Iran’s proxies and allied groups in the region against coalition positions and regional partners of the US, a development viewed by many as a sign of a shift in the strategic balance of power.
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The individuals were targeted for acting on behalf of Hezbollah or its financial firm, Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH).
“While AQAH purports to serve the Lebanese people, in practice it illicitly moves funds through shell accounts and facilitators, exposing Lebanese financial institutions to sanctions risk related to conducting business with a designated entity,” Blinken said in a statement. “Moreover, by hoarding cash that is desperately needed by the Lebanese economy, AQAH empowers Hizballah to build its own support base and compromise the stability of the Lebanese state.”
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One of the seven individuals designated, Ibrahim Ali Daher, serves as director of Hezbollah’s Central Finance Unit, which oversees the groups overall budget and spending, Blinken said.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media before a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at the State Department in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2021. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Tuesday called on governments worldwide to take action against Lebanon s Iranian-backed militant group Hezbozllah, as the Treasury Department sanctioned seven Lebanese nationals it said were connected to the group and its financial firm, Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH). The threat that Hizballah (Hezbollah) poses to the United States, our allies, and interests in the Middle East and globally, calls for countries around the world to take steps to restrict its activities and disrupt its facilitation networks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on the action against the group, designated a terrorist organization by Washington.