IRAQ, Mosul:Iraqi forces inspect the training center under the ground in the village of Albu sword was used by the Islamic state to train its members on March 1, 2017, during an offensive to retake the area from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State group in west Mosul reached the city’s southernmost bridge, a key step in efforts to defeat the jihadists in their stronghold, a spokesman said….AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE
US sanctions four men, including SA alleged leaders of ISIS in Cape Town and Durban
African ISIS branches use fundraising schemes that include theft, extortion of locals and kidnapping for ransom. The US has identified four men who help the group make money from South Africa.
IRAQ, Mosul:Iraqi forces inspect the training center under the ground in the village of Albu sword was used by the Islamic state to train its members on March 1, 2017, during an offensive to retake the area from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State group in west Mosul reached the city’s southernmost bridge, a key step in efforts to defeat the jihadists in their stronghold, a spokesman said….AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE
The United States of America designated four men who allegedly raise funds for terrorist groups – ISIS and ISIS-Mozambique – by using South African banks. The money is made through extortion, kidnapping and other activities.
ALLEGED ISIS MEMBERS IN SA SANCTIONED
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the South Africa-based members targeted by sanctions have “played an increasingly central role in facilitating the transfer of funds from the top of the ISIS hierarchy to branches across Africa.”
Two of the men – Farhad Hoomer and Siraaj Miller – have also allegedly served as leaders of ISIS cells in South Africa.
While Peter Charles Mbaga reportedly arranged money transfers to ISIS-M from South Africa and Abdella Hussein Abadigga helped recruit young men in the country and sent them to a weapons training camp.
“Treasury is taking this action to disrupt and expose key ISIS supporters who exploit South Africa’s financial system to facilitate funding for ISIS branches and networks across Africa.
“The United States is working with our African partners, including South Africa to dismantle ISIS financial support networks on the continent,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian E. Nelson.
The sanctions placed on the men – in terms of Executive Order 13224 – mean that all property and interests in property in which they own more than 50 percent are blocked overseas. United States citizens and companies are also prohibited from working with them and if they do they could face similar sanctions.
HOOMER, MILLER, MBAGA, ABADIGGA
According to the US Treasury, the terror organisation has tried to widen its influence in Africa through large-scale operations in areas where government control is weak.
Continental ISIS branches use fundraising schemes that include theft, extortion of locals and kidnapping for ransom. They are also propped up by financial support from the global ISIS hierarchy.
Farhad Hoomer allegedly set up and ran a Durban-based ISIS cell between 2017 and 2018.
He allegedly used his known residential properties and vehicles as collateral to facilitate the cell’s meetings and operational activities.
He also claimed to have recruited and trained members and was in contact with ISIS-Democratic Republic of Congo (ISIS-DRC0 and local supporters throughout the country.
He is said to have raised more than a million rand through kidnap for ransom operations and extortion of businesses.
Hoomer was arrested along with alleged members of his cell in 2018 for their involvement in a plot to deploy incendiary devices near a mosque and retail buildings. The case was struck off the roll and has the investigation has stalled.
Siraaj Miller is the alleged leader of a Cape Town-based group of ISIS supporters. He has provided financial assistance to the group by training members on how to conduct robberies to raise funds. He is also accused of acquiring temporary safe houses for ISIS.
Peter Charles Mbaga allegedly sought to help ISIS-M acquire equipment and helped facilitate fund transfers. He also sought to buy weapons from Mozambique.
Abdella Hussein Abadigga allegedly used his position as the controller of two mosques in South Africa to extort money from members of the mosques. He sent this money to ISIS supporters elsewhere in Africa via a hawala transfer.
He is also believed to have recruited young South African men and sent them to a weapons training camp. According to the Treasury, Bilal al-Sudani, an ISIS leader in Somalia, considered Abadigga a trusted supporter who could help the organisation become more organised and recruit new members in South Africa.
