Four leaders of Afghanistan-based terrorist organizations have been designated Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the agency has announced.
Three heads of al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and one of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) received the SDGTS designations under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, the DOS announced Dec. 1, "as part of our relentless efforts to ensure that terrorists do not use Afghanistan as a platform for international terrorism."
"As a result of these actions," the announcement states, "all property and interests in property of those designated yesterday that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them."
Those named are Osama Mehmood, AQIS emir, or military commander, Atif Yahya Ghouri, AQIS deputy emir and Muhammad Maruf, head of AQIS’ recruiting branch; and Qari Amjad, deputy emir of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who oversees operations and militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, the DOS announcement reports.
"The United States is committed to countering the threat posed by terrorist groups in Afghanistan to ensure that terrorists do not use Afghanistan as a platform for international terrorism," Sec. of State Antony Blinken wrote in a Twitter post announcing the move.
E.O. 13224, signed by then-President George W. Bush on Sept. 23, 2001, "provides a means by which to disrupt the financial support network for terrorists and terrorist organizations by authorizing the U.S. government to designate and block the assets of foreign individuals and entities that commit, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism."
Once the Secretary of State or Treasury designates someone a SDGT, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) takes appropriate action in blocking the SDGT's access to U.S.-based financial assets and personal possessions, such as artwork and real estate, according to the order. The order also allows the U.S. government to block the assets of anyone or any entity associating in any way with the SDGTs.
"Yesterday’s actions again demonstrate that we will continue to use all relevant tools to uphold our commitment to see to it that international terrorists are not able to operate with impunity in Afghanistan," the DOS stated in the announcement.
