The US authorities, in coordination with Qatar, sanctioned a number of Gulf-based people Wednesday for allegedly working with Hezbollah.
Ali Reda Hassan al-Banai, Ali Reda al-Qassabi Lari and Abd al-Muayyid al-Banai were declared Specifically Designated World Terrorists for allegedly supporting the Lebanese paramilitary group, the US Division of the Treasury stated in a press launch.
Ali al-Banai and Lari are Hezbollah supporters who allegedly transferred tens of tens of millions of {dollars} to Hezbollah utilizing the monetary system and money couriers. Ali al-Banai used Kuwait-based donors. The newest recognized switch carried out by the Banai brothers was in late 2020. Ali al-Banai and Lari additionally met Hezbollah officers throughout journeys to Lebanon and Iran. Lari started bringing money to Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2000. In 2018, he labored with Ali al-Banai to maneuver cash from Qatar to Hezbollah-affiliated organizations, in keeping with the division.
Hezbollah fashioned in 1985 in response to the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. Its fighters are predominantly Shiite Muslims, and the group is heavily supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hezbollah generally clashes with US ally Israel and in addition fights alongside the Syrian authorities within the civil battle. The US authorities designates Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
The US authorities additionally designated 4 people — Abd al-Rahman Abd al-Nabi Shams, Yahya Muhammad al-Abd-al-Muhsin, Majdi Fa’iz al-Ustadz and Sulaiman al-Banai — for allegedly offering assist to Ali al-Banai. Shams relies in Bahrain, Abd-al-Muhsin in Saudi Arabia, Ustadz in Turkey and Sulaiman al-Banai in Qatar.
The discharge didn’t specify the federal government of Qatar’s position within the designations however stated the actions had been “coordinated” with Doha. Ali al-Banai allegedly transferred Qatari foreign money to Abd-al-Muhsin and has business actions within the nation. The division additionally introduced the Qatar-based Al Dar Properties was designated. The federal government of Bahrain likewise froze financial institution accounts related to Shams.
The sanctions designations imply that any US property of the people and entities might be frozen. It additionally opens up associates of these sanctioned to legal prosecution by the USA.
Qatari entities have been implicated in relation to terrorist financing prior to now. In 2020, households of People killed in Israel sued Qatari financial institutions for allegedly financing the Palestinian armed teams Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Qatar can be a major US ally.
