POSSIBLE FTO DESIGNATION FOR ASA'IB AHL AL HAQ

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000436 NOFORN S/CT FOR J. BLAZAKIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019 TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV PREL KCRM KJUS IZ SUBJECT: POSSIBLE FTO DESIGNATION FOR ASA'IB AHL AL HAQ (AAH) AND KATA'IB HIZBALLAH (KH) REF: STATE 11293 Classified By: Political-Military Minister Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b),(d),(g). ¶1. (U) In response to reftel, post provides the following response. ¶2. (S/NF) Regarding Kata,ib Hizballah (KH),post considers this group an irreconcilable Iranian proxy and supports its designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Post believes the summary provided is accurate and believes considerable detail is available in other channels to further reinforce this designation. Embassy and Multi-National Forces Iraq (MNF-I) support designation of KH at this time. ¶3. (S/NF) A designation of the Asa,ib Ahl Al Haq (AAH) group at this time is not supported by Embassy or MNF-I because the GOI is involved in reconciliation efforts with various elements of the Sadrist Trend, including AAH. Discussions with AAH are being led by PM Nouri Al Maliki,s office. The GOI has informed the Embassy that it believes it has commitments on the part of AAH leadership to transition away from violence. Since October 2008, an AAH ceasefire has been in place that GOI assesses has contributed to a discernible downturn in violence directed at Iraqi people and CF. The GOI has sought access to AAH founder Qays Khazali, currently detained by US forces at Camp Cropper, as part of the reconciliation discussions. Embassy and MNF-I believe an FTO finding against AAH at this time would complicate the GOI,s ongoing efforts at reconciliation with the group and negatively impact USG equities in attempting to shape the outcome of those discussions. Embassy requests Department delay pursuing designation of AAH. BUTENIS