The New York Times reported on May 16, citing an indictment released in a Manhattan federal court, that Mohammad al-Sadi, a senior official of the Iraqi militia Kata'ib Hezbollah, has been charged with plotting at least 20 attacks against Western countries, including the United States, since the onset of the war in late February.
Al-Sadi is accused of planning a firebomb attack at a synagogue in Belgium and a terrorist act against a Bank of America building in Paris. Investigations in the U.S. revealed he also attempted to attack a synagogue in New York City.
Iraqi media outlet Saberin News, linked to the militia, reported that al-Sadi was arrested by Turkish security forces while traveling to Moscow via Turkey. While Kata'ib Hezbollah has not commented on al-Sadi's arrest or the charges against him, his lawyer claims he is a "political prisoner and a war captive."
This incident raises alarms about the potential for Iran's proxy forces, previously focused on the Middle East, to extend their operations into the U.S. and Europe. Aaron Zelin, a scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told the Times, "They (Kata'ib Hezbollah) are now expanding their operational scope beyond war zones to Western countries, suggesting that Iran-supported 'Axis of Resistance' is becoming involved in more attacks against the West."
Experts believe that groups like Kata'ib Hezbollah are likely conducting overseas operations with the approval of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Given the potential backlash against Iran, which is already engaged in conflict with the U.S., it would be difficult for these proxies to operate independently without IRGC consent.
Since the late 1980s, Iran has built a network of proxy militias known as the 'Axis of Resistance' throughout the Middle East. These groups have grown into significant armed forces in Iraq and have reportedly participated in attacks targeting the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and oil facilities in Gulf nations following the recent war.
The U.S. has repeatedly highlighted the threat posed by Iran-backed militant groups. According to The New Region, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper stated during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on May 14 that "in just 30 months before the start of Operation Epic Fury, Iran-backed terrorist groups attacked U.S. troops and diplomats over 350 times. This equates to more than one attack every three days, resulting in the deaths of four U.S. service members and nearly 200 injuries."
In response, the U.S. government has increased pressure on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, offering rewards of up to $10 million (approximately 15 billion won) and imposing related sanctions. A State Department spokesperson explained that the reward program for Abu Ala al-Walai, the leader of Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), is part of efforts to dismantle Iran-backed militias in Iraq and advance U.S.-Iraq relations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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