Treasury imposes sanctions on Hezbollah's leadership

The Treasury Department announced on Thursday additional sanctions against Hezbollah's leadership in Lebanon for its support of the Syrian government. 

The sanctions are being leveled against Hasan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's secretary general, and Mustafa Badr Al-Din and Talal Hamiyah, two senior terrorist leaders of Hezbollah, for the group's active support of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as well as its role in terrorist activities.

“By aiding Assad’s violent campaign against the Syrian people and working to support a regime that will inevitably fall, Hizballah’s ongoing activity undermines regional stability and poses a direct threat to Lebanon’s security,” said David Cohen, under secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. 

“Hizballah’s actions, overseen by Hasan Nasrallah and executed by Mustafa Badr Al-Din and Talal Hamiyah, clearly reveal its true nature as a terrorist and criminal organization.” 

Nasrallah sought to depict Hezbollah "as a social and political party, as well as a resistance movement," Treasury said.  

Yet, Treasury argues that the group consistently uses terrorism against civilian targets, and in recent months, has played an increasingly active role in providing support to Syria's government. 

Syria has been a longstanding supporter of Hezbollah under Assad's regime, specifically providing safe haven to Hezbollah and routing weapons, in many cases from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

In return, Hezbollah is providing training, advice, and extensive logistical support to Assad's government. 

The designations build on several actions taken by the U.S. government against Hezbollah during the past several years.