Baghdad, Iraq – The Iraqi committee tasked with freezing terrorist assets has officially retracted its decision to include the Yemeni Houthi militia and the Lebanese Hezbollah on its list of terrorist entities. The committee confirmed that the previously circulated and published statement was an “unrevised version” and that their funds and assets would remain frozen.
In a clarifying statement, the committee indicated that Resolution No. (61 of 2025) was published in the Iraqi Gazette, Issue No. 4848, dated November 17, 2025. The resolution pertains to the freezing of funds and assets and was issued at the request of Malaysia. Furthermore, it is based on UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2001, which includes a list of entities and individuals exclusively linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Error in publishing before editing
The statement clarified that the published list included “references to a number of parties and entities.” These parties and entities are not linked to any terrorist activities with the two organizations mentioned. This was a clear reference to the Houthis and Hezbollah.
The committee confirmed that: “The Iraqi side’s approval was limited to the inclusion of entities and individuals associated exclusively with ISIS and Al-Qaeda. The inclusion of the names of other entities was due to the publication of the list before revision.”
Imminent correction to the official gazette
The committee concluded its statement by announcing its imminent corrective action. It affirmed: “What was published in the Iraqi Gazette will be corrected by removing those entities and parties from the list of entities linked to the terrorist organizations ISIS and al-Qaeda.”
This clarification ends the widespread controversy sparked by the initial decision. It was described as the “broadest and most politically sensitive” in years, as it set a precedent in Baghdad’s policy of avoiding the inclusion of influential regional entities on domestic terrorism lists.
