The United States of America has designated Lebanon-based Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Reports say the militant group is based in both Lebanon and the Arabian peninsula and was founded in 2009.
“AAB is led by Saleh al-Qar’awi, who was designated by the Department of State under E.O. 13224.” – US State Department
In addition, US State Department also designated AAB’s bomb maker, Abu Jabal, under E.O. 13224 on November 22, 2011.
into Israel, December 2008. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
In July 2010, AAB carried out an attack on the Japanese-owned oil tanker M/V M. Star in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports say AAB has campaigned to carry out attacks against Western interests in the Middle East.
In addition, AAB claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks on Israeli civilians as well.
In 2010, the terrorist group expressed an interest in kidnapping U.S. and British tourists in the Arabian Peninsula.
According to US State Department, the consequences of the designations include a prohibition against knowingly providing material support or resources to, or engaging in transactions with, the Abdallah Azzam Brigades, and the freezing of all property and interest in property of the organization that are in the United States, or come within the United States, or the control of U.S. persons.
In November 2011, the Department of State designated Ibrahim Suleiman Hamad Al-Hablain (also known as Abu Jabal) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224. Abu Jabal is an explosives expert and operative for the Abdullah Azzam Brigades (AAB), a Lebanese militant organization. According to media reports, AAB claimed responsibility for the July 28, 2010 maritime bombing of a Japanese oil tanker, the M. Star.
