Terrorist and Hostage-Taking Related Designations of JNIM and al-Murabitoun Leaders – United States Department of State

The United States is committed to repatriating American hostages and preventing future hostage-taking incidents. Today, the Department of State is designating a total of seven individuals pursuant to amended Executive Order (EO) 13224, and EO 14078.

The Department, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13224, as amended, is designating four leaders of Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

• Messaoud Belhirache, also known as Usama Abu-Abd-al-Wahid al-Jazairi, is a senior JNIM leader and head of JNIM finance.
• Talha al-Libi, also known as Sidi Mohammed Ould Mohammed Salem, is the JNIM emir of Timbuktu and leader of the al-Furqan battalion. Al-Libi has ordered JNIM attacks against Malian, French and MINUSMA forces in Mali.
• Hamama Ould Khaouair, also known as Hamza Tabancourt, is the Emir of al-Murabitoun and was involved in the JNIM hostage negotiations, including those involving Western hostages.
• Hussein Ould Hammada, also known as Zakaria Tabancourt, is the deputy leader of al-Murabitoun. Hammada worked closely with Khaouir and was involved in several attacks and kidnappings of Westerners.

The Department is designating the following as leaders of JNIM, an entity that is involved in or whose members are involved in the hostage-taking of at least one U.S. citizen abroad, pursuant to EO 14078.

• Iyad Ag Ghali, also known as Iyad Ag Ghali, is the leader and founder of both JNIM and Ansar al-Din (AAD).
• Amadou Kouffa, also known as Hammadoun Kouffa, is a senior member of JNIM and has been involved in several attacks and kidnappings in Mali and Burkina Faso.
• Salem Ould Brihamat, also known as Abu Hamza al-Shankiti and Hamza al-Mauritani, is a JNIM senior leader and Emir of Arabinda and Serma in the Mopti region of Mali.
• Hamama Ould Khaouer, also known as Hamza Tabancourt, is the emir of al-Murabitoun, which merged with other groups to form JNIM in 2017, and was involved in the JNIM hostage negotiations, in which Western hostages were freed. Related talks were also included.
• Hussein Ould Hammada, also known as Zakaria Tabancourt, is the deputy leader of al-Murabitoon. Hammada worked closely with Khaouir and was involved in several attacks and kidnappings of Westerners.

AAD is an organization operating in Mali that closely cooperates with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Al-Murabitoun was originally formed in 2012 following a split from AQIM. Al-Murabitoun joined AQIM, AAD, and the Sahara branch of the Machina Liberation Front to form JNIM, becoming al-Qaeda’s largest and most deadly affiliate in West Africa. And Sahel. JNIM has claimed responsibility for several kidnappings and attacks since its formation in 2017. Apart from ransom from kidnappings, JNIM receives money from extortion, traffickers and smugglers. The State Department designated JNIM and al-Murabitoun as SDGTs in 2018 and 2013, respectively.

As a result of our actions, all assets and interests in property of the individuals named today that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction have been blocked, and all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them. .

Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list may be sent to: [email protected]. Petitioners may also refer to the State Department Delisting Guidance Page.