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Despite the seizure of their web domains by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), two television networks affiliated with the Iran-backed Iraqi groups Kata'ib Hezbollah and Al-Nujaba' Movement continue to operate online using the alternative domains Al-Etejah TV and Al-Nujaba TV, respectively.
Al-Etejah TV
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on March 25, 2021 that it has seized "Aletejahtv.com" and "Aletejahtv.org," indicating that they served as Kata'ib Hezbollah's media arm, publishing videos, articles, and photographs.[1]
MEMRI JTTM's review indicates Al-Etejah TV has been using an alternative domain since at least since March 21, 2021.
On June 22, 2023, the DOJ seized 33 Iranian government-affiliated media websites, including three linked to Kata'ib Hezbollah, which it said were hosted on US-owned domains and were in violation of sanctions. [2]
Al-Nujaba' TV Network
Back in November 2020, it was reported that the DOJ seized Al-Nujaba television websites, which at the time were using the domains "alnujaba-news.com" and "alnujaba.net".[3]
A screenshot captured via a digital internet archiving tool confirms that the domains were seized by the U.S. government in November 2020.
Al-Nujaba' Movement, which was designated by the U.S. as a terrorist group in 2008, has been using an alternative domain created 11 years ago according to an internet archive tracking tool. The domain features a live stream of Al-Nujaba television and radio station.
"Alnujaba.com"
The DOJ issued a press release on October 7, 2020 listing "alnujaba.com" among 92 domain names affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), citing their engagement in a global disinformation campaign.[4]
The group has been using an alternative since at least January 2021, where it has been posting its media releases, including video, statements, and news.
[1] Justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/united-states-seizes-websites-used-foreign-terrorist-organization, March 25, 2021, last accessed March 3, 2023.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM report, Telegram Channels Affiliated With Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq React To Seizure Of Kata'ib Hezbollah's Web Domain By U.S. Department Of Justice, June 22, 2021.
[3] English.alarabiya.net, December 2, 2020.
[4] Justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-seizes-domain-names-used-iran-s-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps, October 7, 2020, last accessed March 3, 2023.
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