Iraq Removes Officials After Publishing Error Listing Hezbollah and Ansar Allah
Baghdad penalizes responsible officials following official gazette mistake, reaffirms that Iraq’s counterterrorism framework applies only to ISIS and al-Qaeda
Iraq, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The Iraqi government has imposed administrative penalties after an official publication mistakenly listed Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Ansar Allah as “terrorist organizations,” a move that triggered political backlash and raised concerns over external pressure influencing Iraq’s sovereign policy decisions.
The error appeared in Al-Waqai’ Al-Iraqiyya, Iraq’s Official Gazette, Issue No. 4848 dated November 17, 2025, under measures linked to United Nations Security Council counterterrorism resolutions.
Iraqi authorities later confirmed that the inclusion of the two movements was the result of a publishing mistake and did not reflect Iraq’s official stance.
During the 50th regular session of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani approved the findings of an investigative committee tasked with examining the incident.
According to a government statement, the committee recommended administrative penalties, including the removal of a number of concerned officials and the reassignment of others.
Presidency and Prime Minister Reject Unauthorized Designation
The Iraqi Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the listing. In a statement issued on December 5, the Presidency said it had no prior knowledge of, or involvement in, the publication and emphasized that such designations fall outside its constitutional authority.
The Presidency added that it became aware of the listing only through social media, a position echoed by the Prime Minister’s office. Al-Sudani’s office acknowledged that the wording of the asset-freeze decision misrepresented Iraq’s official position and ordered an urgent investigation to determine responsibility.
The Prime Minister’s office further clarified that Iraq’s agreement to freeze assets was based on a request from Malaysia and was strictly limited to individuals and entities connected to ISIS and al-Qaeda, in line with established counterterrorism obligations.
Government Reaffirms Independent Policy on International Resolutions
The investigative committee’s report was linked to Decision No. 61 of 2025 issued by the Committee for Freezing Terrorists’ Assets, which was intended to comply with UN requirements. Iraqi leadership stressed, however, that no new domestic designation had been made against Hezbollah or Ansar Allah.
Officials reaffirmed that Iraq’s counterterrorism measures apply exclusively to internationally recognized terrorist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda, and not to regional resistance movements.
The government emphasized that the content mistakenly published did not represent Baghdad’s foreign policy orientation or its independent approach to implementing international resolutions, underscoring Iraq’s refusal to allow administrative errors—or external geopolitical pressures—to redefine its official positions. (PW)