Egypt's FEC, TRAIN partner to support food exporters    Spot Gold, futures slips on Thursday, July 17th    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt expresses condolences to Iraq over fire tragedy    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's Environment Minister attends AMCEN conference in Nairobi    At London 'Egypt Day', Finance Minister outlines pro-investment policies    Sukari Gold Mine showcases successful public–private partnership: Minister of Petroleum    Egypt's FRA chief vows to reform business environment to boost investor confidence    Egyptian, Belarusian officials discuss drug registration, market access    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Sri Lanka's expat remittances up in June '25    EU–US trade talks enter 'decisive phase', German politician says    Egypt's Health Min. discusses drug localisation with Sandoz    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



US sanctions businessman buying oil from 'Islamic State', Al-Assad supporters
Published in Daily News Egypt on 26 - 11 - 2015

The US has slapped sanctions on a number of individuals accused of supporting Syria's government. The blacklisted names include a "middleman" who buys oil from "Islamic State" and the head of the World Chess Federation.
The United States Treasury Department announced Wednesday it had sanctioned four individuals and six businesses, including a Russian bank, for backing Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said the Syrian government had been responsible for "widespread brutality and violence," during nearly five years of civil war.
"The United States will continue targeting the finances of all those enabling Assad to continue inflicting violence on the Syrian people," he said in a statement.
The sanctions freeze any US assets, and forbid Americans from doing business with those targeted.
‘Wealthiest terror group'
Among the flagged individuals was George Haswani, a Syrian businessman described as a "middleman" facilitating oil purchases by the Syrian regime from the "Islamic State" (IS) terror group. His engineering and construction company, which allegedly operates in areas seized by IS, was also on the list. The European Union had already sanctioned Haswani in March.
US officials say "IS" is the wealthiest terror group of its kind. Most of the militants' funds come from lucrative oil fields they seized from the Syrian government. Last year, a US Treasury official said Al-Assad's government had started buying oil from the terrorist group, which now controls significant territory in both Syria and Iraq.
Russian targets
Other US sanctions targets included Russian Financial Alliance Bank, Primax Business Consultants Limited, and Belize-based Kremsont Commercial Inc.
Mudalal Khuri was another name on the list. The Treasury said he assisted the Syrian government and represents Assad's interests in Russia. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, a Russian businessman and longtime president of the World Chess Federation, was also sanctioned for helping the Syrian government.
Ilyumzhinov on Wednesday denied the allegations, telling Interfax news agency he had "never had any kind of commercial interests in Syria or Iran".
‘Geo-political games'
Responding to the sanctions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabokov accused Washington of playing "geo-political games", RIA news agency reported.
Russia and Iran remain the main backers of Al-Assad, while the United States, its Gulf Arab allies and Turkey have called for his swift removal.
More than 250,000 people have died in Syria's civil war, which involves government forces battling opposition rebels and jihadist groups, including "IS".
Moscow began carrying out airstrikes in Syria in September to help troops loyal to Assad fight what it calls "terrorists". But the US, which is leading a separate bombing campaign against IS, says that Moscow is mainly targeting more moderate groups fighting Al-Assad.
The downing of a Russian jet over Syria by NATO member Turkey on Tuesday sparked fury on Russia's side, adding to tensions and potentially complicating international efforts to battle IS militants in the region.


Clic here to read the story from its source.