North India Statesman
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Washington, January 13: Citing national security, the US has declared three Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan as terrorist organizations. This step has been taken as an initial action under the executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that this decision is the first step towards ending the activities and capabilities of Muslim Brotherhood units that are considered a threat to the US. He clarified that the administration will continue to take strict steps in this direction.
Under the decision, the US State Department has categorized the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as a ‘foreign terrorist organization’ and ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ (SDGT). Along with this, the head of the organization Mohammad Fawzi Takkosh has also been declared SDGT.
The US Treasury Department has designated Muslim Brotherhood units in Egypt and Jordan as SDGTs. According to US officials, both these organizations are accused of providing material and financial support to Hamas.
Rubio said this action is the beginning of a broader and sustained campaign aimed at curbing violent and destabilizing activities linked to the Muslim Brotherhood in different parts of the world. He said that America will maintain pressure on these organizations through sanctions and other measures.
Following these nominations, stringent legal and economic sanctions will be imposed on the organizations and individuals concerned. These include a ban on transactions with US citizens, freezing of assets and restrictions on international travel. The US administration says that the purpose of these steps is to weaken the funding and operational capabilities of the terrorist network.
This announcement comes after President Trump’s executive order, which directed US agencies to take action against organizations that are considered a threat to US security interests.
