The United States Justice Department announced on Thursday the seizure of 13 domains, used by Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and Specially Designated Nationals (SNDs), associated with Hezbollah.
The domains include: moqawama.org, almanarnews.org, manarnews.org, alshahid.org, manartv.net, manarnews.net, almanar-tv.com, almanartv.net, alidaamouch.com, Ibrahim-alsayed.net, alemdad.net and naimkassem.net.
All the above-listed domains belong to Hezbollah’s Ali Daamouch, Ibrahim Al-Sayyid, Naim Kassem, Al Manar TV, the Islamic Charitable Emdad Committee and the Martyr’s Foundation in Lebanon. These individuals and organizations, including their members, will be banned from obtaining website and domain services in the United States, without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Originally, these 13 seized domains had not obtained the required licenses.
General Mathew G. Olsen, an assistant attorney in the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated that “The Justice Department will continue to enforce economic sanctions” on terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.
According to U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the East District of Virginia, the seizure affects the terrorist group’s operations, explaining that “it blocks one avenue these groups and individuals use to gather support and influence.”
FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Robert R. Wells also stated that “The FBI, along with our international partners will continue to seek out those individuals who contribute to the advancement of Lebanese Hezbollah’s malign activities and ensure they are brought to justice, regardless of where, or how, they, attempt to hide.”
