Antony J. Blinken Secretary of State | Official website
Washington, D.C. - In a recent statement released by the Department of State on April 23, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the designation of several leaders affiliated with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun for their involvement in the hostage-taking of U.S. nationals in West Africa.
Secretary Blinken highlighted the actions taken, stating, "The Department of State is today designating a total of seven Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun leaders for their involvement in the hostage-taking of U.S. nationals in West Africa."
Furthermore, Secretary Blinken shed light on the activities of JNIM, emphasizing that the terrorist organization has been responsible for numerous kidnappings and attacks in the region since its establishment in 2017. He noted, "JNIM, al-Qa’ida’s largest and most lethal affiliate in West Africa and the Sahel, has claimed responsibility for numerous kidnappings and attacks since its formation in 2017. The terrorist organization receives funding through kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and from smugglers and traffickers."
The United States government's commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens was underscored by Secretary Blinken, who stated, "The United States remains committed to disrupting and denying al-Qa’ida and its affiliates the financial resources it needs to carry out attacks. We will not hesitate to employ the tools at our disposal to bring home U.S. citizens held hostage abroad, and to deter future hostage-takings of our citizens."
For more information on the recent designations and actions taken, interested parties are encouraged to refer to the Department of State’s Fact Sheet and Treasury’s press release.
This latest move by the U.S. government reaffirms its dedication to combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens both at home and abroad.
