The United States government has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on a Dubai-headquartered commodity trader and its subsidiaries, alleging their involvement in raising and laundering funds for the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
Haleel Commodities, based in Dubai with branches and subsidiaries across Cyprus, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda, has been labeled as a “key financial facilitator” for al-Shabaab. The US Department of the Treasury has prohibited institutions from engaging in transactions with the Haleel group of companies, both within and outside the US, through correspondent or payable-through accounts.
The Treasury Department’s move comes amidst allegations that al-Shabaab has been responsible for some of the most heinous terrorist attacks in East Africa’s recent history and is affiliated with al-Qa’ida. Brian Nelson, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized that the sanctions are part of a broader effort to support the Somali government’s economic offensive against al-Shabaab.
Additionally, Qemat Al Najah General Trading, another UAE-based company, has been accused of managing and transferring funds for al-Shabaab in connection with Haleel Commodities. Individuals in Finland and the UAE with ties to both companies have also been sanctioned by the US government.
This announcement marks the first imposition of US Treasury sanctions linked to al-Shabaab since 2022. It is notable for targeting commodity traders for the first time and including entities based in the EU.
The Department of the Treasury’s recent focus on foreign commodity traders supporting sanctioned groups or nations, particularly in Iran, underscores the gravity of the situation. Previous actions targeted networks of traders in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore accused of circumventing sanctions on Iran, as well as front companies allegedly fabricating shipping documents to evade sanctions on Iranian fuel exports.
In light of these developments, the US government’s sanctions on Haleel Commodities and its affiliates represent a significant escalation in efforts to disrupt illicit financial networks supporting terrorist organizations.
