BAHRAIN-BASED militant group Saraya Al Ashtar (Al Ashtar Brigades) has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US government.
The US State Department made the announcement this evening, having in March last year designated two members of the Iran-backed group - Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi - as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).
“Today’s designations seek to deny AAB (Al Ashtar Brigades) the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks,” said the statement.
“Among other consequences, all of its property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with this organisation.
“In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to the organisation.
“These designations support a larger campaign to deter Iran’s malign behaviour and stop its support for terrorists around the world.”
The latest move follows a decision by the UK in December to blacklist Saraya Al Ashtar, as well as another Bahrain terrorist movement Saraya Al Mukhtar.
Both were added to the UK's list of “Proscribed Terrorist Organisations”.
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