November 20, 2008HP-1283

Washington, DC--The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated three members of al-Shabaab, a violent and brutal extremist group in Somalia.

"Today's action targets three leaders of al-Shabaab, an al Qaida-linked terrorist group that uses lethal tactics to undermine peace and civil society in Somalia,"

said Adam Szubin, director of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control. "These terrorist commanders have had direct involvement in the kidnappings and cold-blooded murders of numerous Somali officials and civilians and they should be cut off from the world's financial system."

Al-Shabaab has used intimidation and violence to undermine the Somali government and threaten civil society activists working to bring about peace through political dialogue and reconciliation. It has claimed responsibility for shooting Deputy District Administrators in Somalia and for several bombings and shootings in Mogadishu targeting Ethiopian troops and Somali government officials.

In addition to attacks that have killed or wounded various Somali government officials, al­-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the February 6, 2008 bombings in Boosaaso, Puntland, which killed 22 Ethiopian civilians and wounded 66.

Further, a number of al-Shabaab members are affiliated with al Qaida, and many of al-Shabaab's senior leaders are believed to have trained and fought with al Qaida in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on February 26, 2008.

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

• Any assets these individuals hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen
• U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the designees.
  

Identifying Information
AHMED ABDI AW-MOHAMED

AKAs:

• Ahmed Abdi Aw MohammedMuktar
• Abdulrahim Abuzubair
• Shaykh Mukhtar
• Abu Zubeyr
• Godani Godane

• DOB: 10 July 1977
• POB: Hargeysa, Somalia
• Nationality: Somali
  

Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed is the founder and a current leader of al-Shabaab.

• He claimed his group was responsible for the May 2007 assassination of a judge in Beledweyne, Somalia, and in March 2007 he coordinated attacks on Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
• Aw-Mohamed has also served as a conduit for financing to al-Shabaab.
  

ISSA OSMAN ISSA

AKA:

• Musse
• Abdullah Bur
• Abdullah Atto
• Abdala Sudani
• Afadey

• DOB: 1973
• POB: Malindi, Kenya
• Nationality: Kenyan

Issa Osman Issa has a leadership role in al-Shabaab and has served as a commander of al­-Shabaab forces in Somalia.

• In late April 2007, Issa led a militia assault against Mogadishu's Basil Hotel, which was often frequented by Ugandan peacekeepers.
• He also was reportedly involved in recruiting an individual to carry out a successful April 2007 suicide attack against the Ethiopian military presence in Afgooye, Somalia.
• Before al-Shabaab's creation, Issa was one of the operatives who fired the surface-to-air missiles used in the failed 2002 attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner in Mombasa, Kenya.
• Issa was also involved in the planning of the near-simultaneous attack in 2002 against the Paradise Hotel in Kikambala, Kenya, in which a vehicle-borne explosive device struck the hotel, killing 12 and injuring 40.
  

MUKHTAR ROBOW

AKAs:

• Mukhtar Ali Rubu
• Mukhtar Abdullahi Ali
• Mujahid Mukhtar Robow Ali
• Shaykh Mukhtar Robo Ali
• Abu Mansur
• Abu Mansour

• DOB: 1969 ALT. DOB: 10 October 1969*
• POB: Xudur, Somalia
• ALT. POB: Keren, Eritrea
• *Nationality: Eritrean*
• National ID No.: 1372584
• Kenya*Passport No: 0310857, Eritrea, issued 21 August 2006, expires 20 August 2008*

*This identifying information is derived from an Eritrean passport issued under the alias name of Mukhtar Abdullahi Ali.

• Mukhtar Robow serves as al-Shabaab's spokesperson, communicating to the press and public on its behalf. He has also served as al-Shabaab's spiritual leader and as its military commander in Southern Somalia.
• As an al-Shabaab military commander, Robow has targeted Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Ethiopian and African Union troops in Somalia.
• In December 2007, Robow's al-Shabaab forces attacked military bases of the Somali government forces, Ethiopian forces and African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu.
• In addition, Robow and former al­-Shabaab leader Aden Hashi Ayrow (deceased) were responsible for the November 2006 suicide attack against a TFG checkpoint in Baidoa, Somalia. The attack killed at least eight and wounded four.
  

The Rest @ the US Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Asset Control

Four AQIM Leaders added to the OFAC List

SALAH GASMI
AKAs:Salah Abu MuhamadSalah Abu MohamedBounouadher
DOB:l3 April l97lPOB:Zeribet El Oued, Biskra, Algeria

• Gasmi is the head of AQIM's information committee and is responsible for developing statements, circulating claims of responsibility for terrorist activities, and creating videos for AQIM.
• As AQIM's representative to the media, Gasmi issued AQIM's claim of responsibility for its kidnapping of the Austrian hostages. Gasmi is one of the principal figures negotiating with the Austrian government for the release of the hostages.
• He represents AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel's interests in the negotiations. Droukdel was added to the U.N. list on August 27, 2007 and was named an SDGT by the Treasury Department on December 4, 2007.
• Gasmi also directs AQIM's internet communications with al Qaida senior leadership.
  

YAHIA DJOUADI

AKAs:Yahia Abu AmarAbu AlaAbou Alam

DOB:1 January 1967POB:M'Hamid, Sidi Bel Abbas, Algeria

• Djouadi is based in northern Mali and serves as the leader of AQIM in Africa's Sahara-Sahel region (also known as the AQIM South Zone).
• He is responsible for managing AQIM members in the South Zone and was actively recruiting Mauritanians as of early 2008.
• Djouadi provided financial and operational support to a Moroccan AQIM-affiliated extremist who planned to establish an AQIM support base in North Africa.
• Djouadi headed the AQIM military committee prior to his appointment as AQIM South Zone Emir.

AHMED DEGHDEGH

AKAs:Abd Al IllahAbu Abdallah
DOB:17 January 1967POB:Anser, Jijel, Algeria

Deghdegh is AQIM's finance chief.

• Deghdegh has relayed AQIM messages in ongoing hostage negotiations; as AQIM's designated negotiator, Deghdegh communicated stipulations for the release of the hostages and issued ransom demands.
• Deghdegh has acknowledged that AQIM has worked to undermine the interests of countries that support U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

ABID HAMMADOU

AKAs:Abid HamaduAbdelhamid Abu ZeidAbdelhamid Abou ZeidYoucef AdelAbu Abdellah
DOB:12 December 1965POB:Touggourt, Ouargla, Algeria

• Hammadou is the deputy leader of AQIM's Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion and is based in northern Mali.
• Hammadou was involved in kidnapping the Austrian tourists for AQIM in February 2008.
• In 2003, Hammadou participated in the kidnapping of 32 foreign tourists in Algeria by the GSPC, AQIM's predecessor organization.
• Hammadou was appointed by regional AQIM leader al-Para to lead the Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion, which carried out the kidnapping (El Para, AKA Saifi Ammari, was named an SDGT on December 5, 2003).
• Hammadou and other members of the battalion received part of the ransom paid to liberate the tourists and allegedly used the funds to purchase weapons.
• In June 2005, Hammadou led a unit of AQIM operatives in an attack on a Mauritanian military outpost that killed fifteen soldiers and wounded at least another fifteen.
• Hammadou established a camp for AQIM recruits in northern Mali that included training in combat techniques, making and defusing bombs, and guerilla tactics.

This means that any of their financial assets found anywhere that touch any US Bank will be siezed, and that significant US resources may be used to find them.

-Shimron

The Rest @ the US Office of Foreign Asset Control

Venezuela-based HezbollahSanctioned by OFAC

This Venezuelan connectionnection to Hezballah is important to Africa, because the travel agency connections may facilitate fund rasing travel in West Africa, among other places. I wonder if FARC-Hezbollah connections occur in Venezuela...

The Followings was Posted on the Office of Foreign Asset Control (US Treasy Department) web site:

June 18, 2008
hp-1036

Treasury Targets Hizballah in Venezuela

Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated two Venezuela-based supporters of Hizballah, Ghazi Nasr al Din and Fawzi Kan'an, along with two travel agencies owned and controlled by Kan'an.

"It is extremely troubling to see the Government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hizballah facilitators and fundraisers. We will continue to expose the global nature of Hizballah's terrorist support network, and we call on responsible governments worldwide to disrupt and dismantle this activity," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists, those owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of terrorists, and those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Assets the designees hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in property or interests in property blocked under the order.

Identifying Information

GHAZI NASR AL DIN

• Ghazi Nasr al Din is a Venezuela-based Hizballah supporter who has utilized his position as a Venezuelan diplomat and the president of a Caracas-based Shi'a Islamic Center to provide financial support to Hizballah.
• Nasr al Din served until recently as Charge d' Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Damascus, Syria, and was subsequently appointed the Director of Political Aspects at the Venezuelan Embassy in Lebanon.
• Nasr al Din has counseled Hizballah donors on fundraising efforts and has provided donors with specific information on bank accounts where the donors' deposits would go directly to Hizballah.
• Ghazi Nasr al Din has met with senior Hizballah officials in Lebanon to discuss operational issues, as well as facilitated the travel of Hizballah members to and from Venezuela.
• In late January 2006, Nasr al Din facilitated the travel of two Hizballah representatives to the Lebanese Parliament to Caracas to solicit donations for Hizballah and to announce the opening of a Hizballah-sponsored community center and office in Venezuela.
• The previous year, Nasr al Din arranged the travel of Hizballah members to attend a training course in Iran.
  
  AKAs: Haj Ghazi Nasseredine
  Ghazi Nassereddine
  Gazi Nasseridine
  Gazi Nasser El-Din
  Ghazil Nasser Al-Din
  Haj Ghazzi Nassereddine
  Ghassan Attef Salame Nasserddine
  Ghassan Nasr El Din Ghassan
  Ghazi Nasserddine
  Ghazi `Atef Nasraldine
  Atef Salameh Nasserdine Ghasan
  Hajj Ghazi `Atif Nasr al-Din
  
• Venezuelan Cedula: 18.190.527
  Venezuelan Passport: B-0472561
  DOB: 13DEC 1962
  POB: Lebanon

FAWZI KAN'AN

• Fawzi Kan'an is a Venezuela-based Hizballah supporter and a significant provider of financial support to Hizballah.
• Kan'an has facilitated travel for Hizballah members and sent money raised in Venezuela to Hizballah officials in Lebanon.
• Kan'an has met with senior Hizballah officials in Lebanon to discuss operational issues, including possible kidnappings and terrorist attacks. Further, Kan'an has also traveled with other Hizballah members to Iran for training.
  
  AKAs:
  Fazi Canaan
  Faouzi Can'an
  Fouzi Kanan
  Fauzi Kanaan
  Fawzi Kan'an
  Fauzi Ganan
  Maustaf Fawzi (Faouzi) Kanaan
  
  DOB1:
  7 June 1943
  DOB 2:
  February 1943
  DOB3:
  l June l943
  POB 1:
  Lebanon
  
  POB 2:
  Baalbeck, Lebanon
  
  POB 3:
  Betechelida, Lebanon
  
  Passport no:
  0877677
  
  Nationality:
  Venezuelan (Naturalized)
  
  Naturalization no.:
  2108, 16 December 1977
  
  Identification no:
  V-6.919.272
  
  Residence 1:
  Calle 2, Residencias Cosmos, Fifth Floor, Apartment 5D,
  La Urbina Caracas, Venezuela
  
  Residence 2:
  Esquina Bucare, Building 703, Second Floor, Apartment 20
  Caracas, Venezuela
  
  BIBLOS TRAVEL AGENCY
  
  Biblos Travel Agency is a Venezuela-based travel agency owned and operated by Fawzi Kan'an, which he has used to courier funds to Lebanon.
  
  AKAs:
  Biblios Travel
  Biblos Travel CA
  Biblos Travel, C.A.
  
  Location:
  Avenida Baralt, Esquina Maderero, Edificio Santa Isabel II,
  PB, Loc. 1 Caracas, Venezuela
  
  HILAL TRAVEL AGENCY
  
  Formed in April 2001, Hilal Travel Agency is a Venezuela-based travel agency owned and operated by Fawzi Kan'an.
  
  AKAs:
  Hilal Travel C.A.
  
  Address:
  Avenida Baralt, Esquina Maderero, Edificio Santa Isabel
  Caracas, Venezuela
  
  Business ID no.:
  80074366

KHARTOUM, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury is preparing to launch a string of civil actions against companies it says have breached sanctions imposed on Sudan for abusing human rights and supporting terrorism, a senior official told Reuters on Thursday.

• Agents had built up a "queue" of enforcement actions against violators that will be rolled out in as early as a month's time, said Adam Szubin, Director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• OFAC, he added, was stepping up its enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Sudan following a strengthening of Washington's stance against atrocities in Darfur last year.
• "Sudan is at the top of our list, among our most serious concerns. We are investigating a number of significant Sudanese violations," Szubin told Reuters.
• Szubin said he could not name the companies involved but added that U.S. sanctions on Sudan affected both U.S. companies and foreign companies operating from inside the United States.
• U.S. President George W. Bush tightened sanctions against Sudan in May, accusing the Khartoum government of obstructing U.N. efforts to bring peace to Sudan's western Darfur region........
• .........Violating companies now face fines of up to $250,000 a breach or a charge of twice the offending transaction -- a penalty that in some cases could run into millions, said Szubin.
• OFAC was waiting for the publication of official guidelines for the new penalties before pushing through the enforcement actions, he added, "in the next month or two".
  The recent increase in penalties for sanctions violators had strengthened OFAC's hand, he added.

"What we were seeing in a few cases would be a company that facilitated, let's say, a handful of petroleum sales for Sudan out of the United States ... and then was caught."

• Before the penalty increase, the company would have only had to pay up to $50,000 for each illegal sale -- a charge that many organisations could write off."We're now able to say, if your transactions totalled $40 million, and those were violative transactions, you could be facing a maximum penalty of $80 million. And that is no longer something that people will shrug off."

The Rest @ Reuters Africa