Maldives Sanctions Target Terrorists and Supporters of ISIS and Al-Qaida

Disrupting Terrorist Financing Networks in Maldives

The United States government has taken a significant step in combating terrorism by imposing severe financial penalties on individuals and entities suspected of involvement with terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qaeda.

Sanctions Target 20 Individuals and 29 Entities

On July 31, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 20 individuals and 29 entities in Maldives under Executive Order 13224. This order targets terrorist organizations and their supporters worldwide.

Targets Include High-Ranking ISIS Members and Notorious Gang Leaders

The sanctions list includes several high-ranking members of the ISIS-affiliated Addu City cell, which has been accused of planning and executing terror plots since at least 2018. The group allegedly used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry out these attacks.

Additionally, leaders of Kuda Henveyru, a notorious ISIS-aligned gang in Maldives, are also included on the list. This gang has been accused of raising funds for local fighters who traveled to Syria to join ISIS and allegedly engaged in large-scale robberies to generate revenue to support terrorist activities abroad.

Associates of ISIS-K Recruiter Also Designated

The sanctions also include several associates of Mohamad Ameen, an ISIS-K recruiter designated in 2019. Ameen is linked to a terror attack that targeted the former President and Speaker of Parliament of Maldives.

Consequences of Sanctions

As a result of these sanctions:

• All assets belonging to or controlled by the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are frozen.
• US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the designees.
• Foreign financial institutions face exposure to sanctions if they knowingly facilitate significant transactions on behalf of the sanctioned entities.

Continued Commitment to Disrupting Terrorist Financing Networks

The US government’s actions demonstrate its continued commitment to disrupting terrorist financing networks and bringing those responsible for terror activities to justice.