News

Terrorist Financing Targeting Center links 13 individuals, 3 entities to IRGC, Daesh and Boko Haram

Published

2 years ago

07/06/2022

MNN

Two of the groups were Bahrain-based terrorist militias receiving support from Iran
The designation action marks the 5th year of coordinated TFTC sanctions actions targeting terrorist financing

Member states of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), including Saudi Arabia, have unanimously named 13 people and three entities as being linked to terrorist organizations.

The announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary of the TFTC, which has targeted terrorist financing activities to strengthen the regional capabilities of member states.

A statement from the Saudi Presidency of State Security said three of the individuals were connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, four people and a company were found to be connected to Daesh, and six people were connected to financing Boko Haram. The statement on Twitter also designated two groups — Saraya Al-Ashtar and Saraya Al-Mukhtar — as terrorist groups.

The classification is an extension of member states’ commitment to continue achieving the center’s goals.

It also sends a message to the international community about the fruitful cooperation between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the US in targeting terrorist financing activities through the multilateral entity.

TFTC was organized by GCC member states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and the United States to counter regional money laundering and terrorist financing networks.

The individuals named in the TFTC list are Lebanese national Ali Al-Qusayer, Iranian nationals Miqdad Amini and Murtada Minai for their connection with the Al-Quds force, which is working under the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah, Afghan national Esmatullah Khaluzi for his connection with Daesh operations in Khorasan, and Syrian national Alaa Khanfurah for his Daesh connection.

There are also six Nigerian nationals on the list: Abdurrahman Adu Musa, Salihu Youssef Admu, Bashir Ali Youssef, Mohammed Ibrahim Issa, Ibrahim Ali Al-Hasan, and Suraju AbuBakr Mohammed. The six, operating for Boko Haram, set up a cell in the UAE to raise money for the group.

Syrians Baraa Al-Qaterji and Hussam Rushdi Al-Qaterji, who established Al-Qaterji Co., were named for facilitating fuel trade for Daesh and cooperating with terrorist organizations such as the Revolutionary Guards.

The statement said that Saraya Al-Ashtar and Saraya Al-Mukhtar were Bahrain-based terrorist militias receiving financial, military, and logistic support from the Revolutionary Guards.

A separate press statement by the US Department of Treasury on Monday said Saraya al-Mukhtar’s self-described goal is “to pave the way for Iran to exert greater influence in Bahrain and beyond.”

“The group has plotted attacks against US personnel in Bahrain and has repeatedly offered cash rewards for the assassination of Bahraini officials,” it added.

Saraya al-Ashtar, also known as al-Ashtar Brigades (AAB), “has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks against police and security targets in Bahrain,” the statement said, adding that the group “also calls for violence against the Bahraini, British, Saudi Arabian, and US governments on social media.”

TFTC has coordinated six stages of joint classification against 82 individuals and terrorist entities since its establishment in 2017.

These classifications have targeted Daesh and its affiliates, Al-Qaeda, the Revolutionary Guards, and Hezbollah militia.

The TFTC said the classifications targeted the disruption of terrorist financing and it would continue coordinating actions and efforts to disrupt this type of funding, enhance intelligence coordination to uncover terrorist financing, and build member states’ capacity to target activities that posed a threat to their national security.

It said the system of combating terrorist crimes and their financing meant that all funds and assets belonging to the people or entities named in the classifications must be frozen and that it was prohibited to carry out any direct or indirect dealings with them whether for their benefit or on their behalf.

Source: AN

News

Modern innovations bring solutions to environmental issues: Minister Shiyam

Published

5 hours ago

25/04/2024

Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has highlighted the transformative potential of today’s innovations in addressing climate challenges through modern technology, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts in seeking sustainable solutions

Minister Shiyam made the remarks during the inauguration of the Space for Island Nation Conference (SINC 2024), hosted by the Maldives Space Research Organisation. The conference’s focal point this year revolves around bolstering marine security through scientific endeavors.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Shiyam underscored the intertwined relationship between environmental preservation and governmental policies. He emphasised the indispensable role of oceans in people’s lives and cautioned against neglecting environmental concerns. Highlighting the pressing issues of climate change, rising sea levels, and coral bleaching impacting the Maldives, he expressed optimism in leveraging modern technology and innovative approaches to tackle these challenges.

Additionally, Minister Shiyam advocated for harnessing the power of science and technology to drive sustainable transformations. He emphasised the importance of accurately identifying the root causes of environmental issues and implementing monitoring mechanisms to effect positive change. He also underscored the significance of such efforts not only for the Maldives but also for the global safeguarding of oceanic ecosystems.

Furthermore, Minister Shiyam commended President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s dedication to advancing research initiatives and seeking sustainable solutions. He highlighted the pivotal role of space research in gathering crucial data about oceans and the environment, including information on sea temperature, sea level rise, and marine ecosystems. In addition, he emphasised the role of spatial data in enforcing fisheries policies, such as detecting illegal border crossings and unauthorised fishing activities. He, however, stressed that while technological advancements are crucial, collective action is imperative to effectively address shared challenges.

The SINC 2024 conference was attended by 18 researchers from the Maldives and renowned international organisations specialising in space exploration. The conference was held at Crossroads Maldives over three days, and facilitated discussions and knowledge exchange on space science and oceanic exploration. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to visit an island within the country’s atolls, further enhancing insights into marine ecosystems and their significance.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Air Service World Congress 2024 to be held in Kurumbaa Maldives

Published

9 hours ago

25/04/2024

The Air Service World Congress serves as a significant platform for international representatives from the route development community to discuss the future of global air service growth and development. The annual forum is scheduled to be held from July 9 to July 11 in Kurumbaa Maldives.

Speaking regarding the event to PSM News, Corporate Communication Manager of Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), Shamaan Shakir disclosed that efforts are underway to register airports and airlines, market the congress and ensure maximum number of airports and airlines participate in the forum. Shamaan additionally revealed that decisions have been made such that Velana International Airport (VIA) is set to be the official host of the Air Service World Congress 2024, marking the first time the Maldives welcomes this significant global event.

With 55 airlines attending, the prestigious event will feature insightful industry discussions, individual meetings, and ample networking opportunities. Several discussions are to take place during the event as this forum will serve to connect airlines and airports.

Moreover, Shamaan stated that this presents a unique prospect for VIA to showcase its advancements and establish alliances with prominent airlines. He further emphasised that the congress will assist to acquiring additional airlines to operate flights within other international airports within the nation. Hence, he expressed confidence that the opportunity of hosting the global event will benefit all the airports operating in the country.

VIA was announced as the official host of the event, following the successful conclusion of the Air Service World Congress 2023 in Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

First SEZ approval for floating solar project

Published

9 hours ago

25/04/2024

The first permission under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, has been extended to establish a floating solar system in the Greater Male’ region.

The project was greenlit at the third meeting of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Board of Investment, held on Wednesday.

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reported it had extended the project approval to Canada’s Abraxas Power Corp, which it is set to run in partnership with Sungrow Power Supply Co Limited.

Under the project, a 150-megawatt floating photovoltaic (PV) power plant and supporting infrastructure would be established, while additional fund injection would required to connect the project to the main electrical grid in the Greater Male’ region.

The initiative is aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of expanding renewable energy share in the national power supply network to 33% by 2028.

While the renewable plan will pave way towards expanding the alternative utility footprint in the Maldives, President Muizzu announced receipt of a large-scale proposal under the SEZ on December 24th, 2023 – days after the government decided to reduce the lowest project value for an SEZ initiative.

Earlier on December 17 last year, President Muizzu reduced the lowest project value of an SEZ projects to USD 100 million, which previously stood at USD 150 million.

The SEZ Act was first introduced in 2015 under which special economic zones focused towards developing various economic initiatives were set.

President Muizzu pledged to inroduce special economic zones across the Maldives and open up foreign investment prospects.

Source(s): sun.mv