US sanctions target entities-persons operating in Cyprus 'for al-Shabaab financing'

The United States has designated sixteen entities and individuals in a transnational network that spans the Horn of Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus, for facilitating financing and money laundering for the al-Shabaab terrorist organisation.

According to State Department Spokesperson, Mathew Miller, the threat posed by al-Shabaab is not limited to Somalia.  He said that Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qa’ida-linked groups worldwide and help fund al-Qa’ida’s global ambitions to commit acts of terrorism and undermine good governance.

"Today’s action reflects the United States’ counterterrorism priorities in Somalia and supports the dynamic relationship we have established with the Somali government to counter the terrorist threats endangering the Somali people and undermining their communities. The United States also remains focused on disrupting al-Qa’i’da’s access to the international financial system," Mathew Miller noted.

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Al-Shabaab generates over $100 million per year by extorting local businesses and individuals, as well as through the financial support of affiliated businesspeople. The threat posed by al-Shabaab is not limited to Somalia, a relevant announcement says. Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qa’ida-supported groups worldwide and help fund al-Qa’ida’s global ambitions to sow discord and undermine good governance, it is added.

“This action continues Treasury’s efforts to disrupt al-Shabaab’s abuse of the regional financial system and builds on OFAC’s October 2022 designation of a network of al-Shabaab financial facilitators who served as key interlocutors between al-Shabaab and local businesses in Somalia,” the announcement notes.

As for Cyprus-related entities and individuals, the sanctions are turned against the Dubai-based Haleel Commodities L.L.C., also known as Haleel Group, which the Department of Treasury characterises as a key financial facilitator for al-Shabaab, which relies on the leaders of Haleel Group, as well as its branches and subsidiaries in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Cyprus to generate and launder funds. Haleel Group’s subsidiaries in Cyprus include Haleel Finance LTD, Haleel Holdings, and Haleel LTD, it is added, among others.

An individual who directs and manages Haleel Group’s branches in Kenya, Uganda, Cyprus, and the UAE, and supports al-Shabaab by generating funds for the group through these businesses, is also mentioned.

(Source: CNA)