WASHINGTON(Mogadishu24)- In a significant move to combat global terrorism financing, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against the Haleel Group, a Dubai-based conglomerate, for its financial connections to al-Shabaab, the al-Qa’ida-linked terror group.

These sanctions underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to severing the financial lifelines that support terrorist operations in East Africa and beyond.

The Haleel Group, with operations spanning the Horn of Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Cyprus, has been implicated in facilitating the flow of funds to al-Shabaab. Through a network of subsidiaries and branches, including Haleel Commodities L.L.C. in the UAE and several entities in Cyprus and East Africa, the group has laundered millions of dollars, fueling the terrorist organization’s activities.

This action targets the economic foundations of al-Shabaab, which has long relied on extortion and financial networks to fund its operations, generating upwards of $100 million annually. By designating Haleel Group and its affiliates under Executive Order 13224, as amended, the U.S. Treasury aims to disrupt al-Shabaab’s financial infrastructure, limiting its ability to conduct terrorist attacks.

The sanctions block any U.S. assets owned by the Haleel Group and prohibit American individuals and entities from engaging in transactions with them. This is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the economic mechanisms that terrorist organizations use to finance their operations, highlighting the importance of financial intelligence in maintaining global security.

This initiative is a testament to the United States’ resolve to work alongside international partners to combat terrorism financing. It represents a critical step forward in supporting the Somali government and regional allies in their ongoing efforts to undermine al-Shabaab’s influence and ensure stability in the region.

The announcement also casts a spotlight on Hormuud Telecom, a leading telecommunication company in Mogadishu and parent company of Haleel Group, highlighting its rapid expansion and strategic investments across the Horn of Africa, the UAE, and Cyprus. The sanctions against Haleel Group signify a shift in U.S. policy towards containing al-Shabaab’s reach beyond Somali borders, reinforcing the international commitment to eradicating terrorism financing networks.

As the global community continues to monitor these developments, the actions taken against Haleel Group serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against terrorism financing and the crucial role of international cooperation in safeguarding global security.

Faysal Yusuf Dini (Dini), Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale (Awale), Hassan Abdirahman Mahamed, Mohamed Artan Robel, Abdikarin Farah Mohamed, Farhan Hussein Hayder (Hayder), Abdulkadir Omar Abdullahi (Abdullahi),Omar Sheikh Ali Hilowle (Hilowle) were the individuals mentioned in the list, based in UAE, Kenya, Uganda and Somalia.