The US government, in coordination with Qatar, sanctioned several Gulf-based individuals Wednesday for allegedly working with Hezbollah. 

Ali Reda Hassan al-Banai, Ali Reda al-Qassabi Lari and Abd al-Muayyid al-Banai were declared Specially Designated Global Terrorists for allegedly supporting the Lebanese paramilitary organization, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release.

Ali al-Banai and Lari are Hezbollah supporters who allegedly transferred tens of millions of dollars to Hezbollah using the financial system and cash couriers. Ali al-Banai used Kuwait-based donors. The latest known transfer conducted by the Banai brothers was in late 2020. Ali al-Banai and Lari also met Hezbollah officials during trips to Lebanon and Iran. Lari began bringing cash to Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2000. In 2018, he worked with Ali al-Banai to move money from Qatar to Hezbollah-affiliated organizations, according to the department.

Hezbollah formed in 1985 in response to the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. Its fighters are predominantly Shiite Muslims, and the organization is heavily supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hezbollah sometimes clashes with US ally Israel and also fights alongside the Syrian government in the civil war. The US government designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.