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New US sanctions illustrate sprawling Islamic State network
Young boys known as the "lion cubs" hold rifles and Islamic State group flags as they exercise at a training camp in Tal Afar, near Mosul, northern Iraq, on April 25, 2015
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Young boys known as the "lion cubs" hold rifles and Islamic State group flags as they exercise at a training camp in Tal Afar, near Mosul, northern Iraq, on April 25, 2015. (Militant website via AP) (Militant website via AP)
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span class="inline inline-center">Young boys known as the "lion cubs" hold rifles and Islamic State group flags as they exercise at a training camp in Tal Afar, near Mosul, northern Iraq, on April 25, 2015. (Militant website via AP)
The US government announced sanctions Tuesday against 25 people and five groups connected to the Islamic State, disclosing intelligence that depicts a sprawling international organization with tentacles across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The moves by the Treasury and State departments are aimed at disrupting the activities of Islamic State financial, logistical and recruiting operatives who may not be suitable targets of American bombs or drone strikes. Many of them reside outside the theaters of war in Iraq and Syria.
The sanctions, the largest such effort against the Islamic State, also serve to demonstrate how far and wide the group's ideology has spread.
The State Department designated as foreign terrorist organizations Islamic State regional spin-offs in Russia's Caucasus region, Algeria, Indonesia and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Among the individuals designated as terrorists was Sally Jones, a British native and the widow of an operative killed recently in an American drone strike.
The State Department also designated as terrorists three French nationals and a Russian. Russia, France and other countries cooperated with the US in supplying information that contributed to the sanctions, officials said.
Also Tuesday, the State Department announced a reward of up to US$5 million for information leading to the significant disruption of commerce in oil and antiquities by, for, on behalf of, or to benefit the Islamic State. It was a first for the Rewards for Justice Program, which typically offers rewards for information leading to wanted individuals.
The Treasury Department, meanwhile, slapped financial sanctions on Islamic State officials who operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia. Among the individuals it sanctioned in Syria was British national Aqsa Mahmood, who is accused of recruiting three British schoolgirls in February to flee the United Kingdom to become wives of Islamic State fighters. She is believed to be in Syria.
Previously, Treasury had sanctioned just four Islamic State officials, one of whom was killed in a US drone strike in June.
Some of those sanctioned by Treasury are also expected to be placed Tuesday on the United Nations' al-Qaeda Sanctions List, officials said in a news release.
The financial sanctions are designed to make it harder for the Islamic State to use its immense wealth, Daniel Glaser, Treasury's assistant secretary for terrorist financing, said in an interview.
"These sanctions will prevent them from engaging in financial transactions and make it harder for them to travel," he said. (++++)
