04/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2024 12:52
The United States remains committed to bringing American hostages home and to deterring future hostage-takings. Today, the Department of State is designating a total of seven individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, and E.O. 14078.
The Department is designating four leaders of Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended.
The Department is designating the following for being leaders of JNIM, an entity that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, the hostage-taking of at least one U.S. national abroad, pursuant to E.O. 14078.
AAD is an organization operating in Mali which cooperates closely with al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Al-Murabitoun was originally formed after it split from AQIM in 2012. Al-Murabitoun joined the Sahara Branch of AQIM, AAD, and the Macina Liberation Front to form JNIM, which became al-Qa'ida's largest and most lethal affiliate in West Africa and the Sahel. JNIM has claimed responsibility for numerous kidnappings and attacks since its formation in 2017. In addition to ransom from kidnapping, JNIM receives funding from extortion, from smugglers, and from traffickers. The State Department designated JNIM and al-Murabitoun as SDGTs in 2018 and 2013, respectively.
As a result of our actions, all property and interests in property of those designated today that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.
Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List may be sent to: [email protected]. Petitioners may also refer to the Department of State's Delisting Guidance page.