OVERVIEW

Kata’ib Hizballah flag

Kata’ib Hizballah (KH) is an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militant group that threatens US interests in Iraq and Syria. Founded in 2007, KH seeks to establish an Iran-aligned government in Iraq, expel US and coalition forces from the country, and advance Iranian interests throughout the Middle East.

KH works extensively with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and closely follows the direction of Iran’s Supreme Leader. KH fought in support of the Asad regime during the Syrian civil war, has closely collaborated with Lebanese Hizballah, and has engaged with the Huthis in Yemen. Since the start of the Israel-HAMAS conflict in October 2023, KH and other Iraqi Shia militant groups—under the banner of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq—have conducted more than 150 attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria. After the Asad regime collapsed in 2024, KH evacuated its personnel from Syria.

OPERATING AREAS
Based primarily in Iraq; possibly operates in Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia

MEMBERS
7,000 to 10,000

TACTICS AND TARGETS
KH has attacked US personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria using IEDs, rockets, and unmanned aircraft systems, and the group kidnaps and assassinates its domestic rivals. KH’s weapons include armored vehicles, artillery, explosively formed projectiles, man-portable air defense systems, and missiles. The group has received extensive training, funds, logistic support, weapons, and intelligence from the IRGC-QF, which exerts some influence over KH operations. KH has also received training and weapons from Lebanese Hizballah.

TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated KH as a foreign terrorist organization in July 2009. KH’s overall leader, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, was named a specially designated global terrorist in February 2020.

KEY LEADERS

NOTABLE ATTACKS