The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken significant action against Hizballah by designating two senior officials and two financial facilitators for their financial operations that support the terrorist organization. This move, announced on May 15, is part of ongoing efforts to weaken the group’s financial networks, particularly as it tries to regain stability after the conflict with Israel in late 2023 and early 2024.
The designated individuals include Mu’in Daqiq Al-‘Amili and Jihad Alami, who play crucial roles in coordinating financial transfers and managing funding for Hizballah. Al-‘Amili, a senior representative based in Qom, Iran, is linked to the Hizballah leadership and has been instrumental in moving funds from Iran to Lebanon. He recently coordinated the delivery of substantial cash payments to support Hizballah during a tumultuous period following the conflict in Gaza.
Another significant figure, Fadi Nehme, is associated with Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit and has strong ties to key financial overseers within the organization. His connections amplify the group’s capacity to execute its financial strategies and sustain operations. Hasan Abdallah Ni’mah, also targeted, is noted for facilitating Hizballah’s funding in Africa, including substantial transactions to organizations aligned with the group.
Michael Faulkender, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, emphasized the importance of this action in undermining Hizballah’s global financing efforts and highlighted Iran’s role in enabling terrorism through these financial networks. This designation follows previous actions focusing on disrupting Hizballah’s illicit financial dealings, particularly in oil and commercial enterprises.
This development reflects the U.S. commitment to counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing pressure on nations and entities that financially support terrorist activities. The targeted sanctions serve as a strategic tool in the broader context of national security and international efforts to combat terrorism. By maintaining pressure on Hizballah’s financing mechanisms, the U.S. aims to diminish the group’s operational capabilities and disrupt their funding streams significantly.