Action Targets Kuwait-based Terrorist Financier
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today against al-Nusrah Front (ANF) and al-Qa’ida (AQ) facilitator Muhammad Hadi al-`Anizi (al-`Anizi). Al-`Anizi, who is based in Kuwait, is being designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of al-`Anizi subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with him.
“From raising funds to facilitating the travel of terrorists, al-`Anizi is responsible for providing key financial and logistical support to al-Nusrah Front and al-Qa’ida,” said John E. Smith, OFAC Director. “The Treasury Department will continue to aggressively target al-Nusrah Front’s and al-Qa’ida’s financial structures to further disrupt their ability to conduct terrorist attacks.”
Muhammad Hadi al-`Anizi
Muhammad Hadi al-`Anizi was designated for providing support and services to ANF and AQ.
Al-`Anizi, a terrorist facilitator and financier based in Kuwait, has provided extensive material and financial support to ANF since at least 2014. In late 2015, al-`Anizi solicited donations for ANF fighters in Syria and sent approximately $20,000 to an ANF member in Syria. In late 2014, al-`Anizi worked with an ANF associate to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to ANF members in Syria.
Al-`Anizi has also provided extensive material and financial support to AQ since at least 2007. In late 2015, al-`Anizi sought assistance from AQ financier and U.S.- and UN-designated terrorist Sa’d al-Ka’bi to facilitate the travel of AQ-associated individuals. In mid- to late-2014, al-`Anizi obtained passports for an AQ associate in Syria, provided medical supplies to an injured Syria-based AQ associate, and was appointed as AQ’s representative in Syria by AQ senior leadership. Prior to 2014, al-`Anizi provided financial support to his brother, AQ facilitator and SDGT Abdullah al-`Anizi, who used the money to fund terrorist operations.
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