The United States has imposed sanctions on three individuals and six entities spanning Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa for aiding the Islamic State (ISIS) in moving money globally. The U.S. State Department aims to disrupt ISIS’s financial infrastructure by targeting this network. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that these actions are part of the U.S. efforts, under President Trump’s leadership, to dismantle ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism worldwide.
The sanctions focus on individuals like Miloud Abderrahmane in France, who provided explosives information to ISIS supporters, and Abdelhakim Boukich in Syria, who used cryptocurrency for fund transfers. Additionally, Nigerian national Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad was identified as a facilitator linked to ISIS-West Africa. The Treasury Department also designated entities, including Turkish and Syrian money transfer firms and Nigerian financial businesses, allegedly connected to ISIS financing networks.
The U.S. State Department emphasized that these sanctions are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt ISIS’s financial activities, as the group increasingly relies on intermediaries and decentralized networks for international fund transfers. The statement also highlighted the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria in counterterrorism efforts. Washington reaffirmed its commitment to using all available diplomatic and legal means to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable globally, aiming to protect lives and eliminate the threat ISIS poses to peace and security.
