US Targets Al-Ashtar Brigades Operatives
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday took action in coordination with the Kingdom of Bahrain against key Iran-based operatives and a financial facilitator for designated terrorist group Al-Ashtar Brigades. The Department of State designated Al-Ashtar Brigades as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2018.
“Today’s action, taken in coordination with the Kingdom of Bahrain, underscores our collective commitment to disrupting Iran’s destabilizing forces and threats, particularly those which threaten our partners in the region and around the world,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.
Tuesday’s designations highlight the critical role that the Iranian regime plays in providing support to Al-Ashtar Brigades. In 2018, the government of Bahrain charged numerous individuals due to terrorism-related activities. A number of these individuals fled Bahrain to evade prison sentences and settled in Iran, which has long supported and continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups. These individuals are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters.
AL-ASHTAR BRIGADES OPERATIVES IN IRAN
Hussein Ahmad ‘Abdallah Ahmad Hussein Al-Dammami (Al-Dammami) has engaged in facilitating lethal aid into Bahrain in support of Al-Ashtar Brigades. Previously, Al-Dammami was investigated by the Bahraini government for attempted murder, terrorism, possessing explosives, and other crimes, and fled to Iran following his sentencing and asset seizures.
Ali Abdulnabi Ahmed Ebrahim M Alshofa is an Iran-based Al-Ashtar Brigades member involved in suspected lethal aid facilitation in the Middle East.
Hasan Ahmed Radhi Husain Sarhan is an Iran-based Al-Ashtar Brigades member that has been involved in plotting terrorist operations in Bahrain.
Isa Saleh Isa Mohamed Salman (Salman) is an Iran-based Al-Ashtar Brigades financier involved in money transfers for the group. On several occasions, Salman facilitated money transfers into Bahrain.
Hussein Ahmad ‘Abdallah Ahmad Hussein Al-Dammami, Ali Abdulnabi Ahmed Ebrahim M Alshofa, Hasan Ahmed Radhi Husain Sarhan, and Isa Saleh Isa Mohamed Salman, have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Al-Ashtar Brigades, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224.