WASHINGTON - The US Treasury said Wednesday it had blacklisted a Syrian-based television station for allegedly "fueling" insurgent activity in Iraq.
The Treasury said it had slapped financial sanctions on Syrian-based Al-Zawra television.
Al-Zawra was said to have broadcast messages through patriotic songs to the Islamic Army of Iraq group, which Washington labels a Sunni terrorist group. The US claims Al-Zawra has also received financing from Al-Qaeda.
The Treasury's actions also targeted three Iraqi men identified as Abu Mustafa Al-Sheibani, Ismail Hafiz Al Lami and Mish'an Al-Jaburi.
The government agency said, however, that the three Iraqis all had numerous aliases.
"Syria provides safe-haven to Sunni insurgents and financiers," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Levey urged US allies to support the sanctions, which freeze the assets of targeted individuals under US jurisdiction, as well as barring US citizens from conducting financial deals with those affected.
Al-Zawra television is owned and controlled by one of the Iraqis cited on the updated blacklist, Mish'an Al-Jaburi, according to the Treasury.
Washington said the television station broadcasts "graphic" videos of insurgent attacks against US troops based in Iraq, as well as urging Iraqis to fight US forces.
US officials believe Mish'an Al-Jaburi is based in Syria, which also borders Iraq, and that the other two Iraqis cited are living in Iran.
The Treasury said Abu Mustafa Al-Sheibani and Ismail Hafiz Al Lami led different groups seeking to harm US forces, Iraqi officials and citizens.
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