Secretary Clinton targets Army of Islam and Haqqani Network leaders

by: jim kouri | published: 08 17, 2011

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, under an executive order issued by the U.S. President, yesterday notified the military, law enforcement, political leaders and American citizens that two terrorist leaders have been added to the State Department's terrorism list.

First, Secretary Clinton and State Department officials have designated the Gaza-based Army of Islam leader Mumtaz Dughmush under E.O. 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

As a result of the designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Dughmush has any interest is blocked and U.S. residents and businesses are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him. This action will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance to this terrorist, according to Secretary Clinton.

In May, the Secretary of State designated the Army of Islam as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The Army of Islam is a Gaza Strip-based terrorist organization founded in late 2005 and is responsible for numerous terrorist acts against the governments of Israel and Egypt. Under Dughmush’s guidance, the Army of Islam has launched rocket attacks against Israel from Palestinian territories, kidnapped two Fox News journalists -- including Fox's foreign correspondent Steve Centanni -- who were later released

The group is also responsible for early 2009 attacks on Egyptian civilians in Cairo and Heliopolis, which resulted in casualties and deaths. A splinter group of Hamas, the Army of Islam is ideologically aligned with al-Qaeda.

In addition, Secretary Clinton designated the Haqqani Network's Commander Sangeen Zadran under the same executive order. Sangeen is also listed by the United Nations (UN) 1988 Sanctions Committee. These actions will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance from the U.S. to this dangerous individual, according to Clinton.

Sangeen Zadran is the Shadow Governor for Paktika Province, Afghanistan and a commander of the Haqqani Network, a Taliban-affiliated group of militants that operates from North Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The Haqqani Network has been at the forefront of insurgency in Afghanistan and is responsible for many high-profile attacks.

Sangeen Zadran helps lead fighters in attacks across Southeastern Afghanistan, and is believed to have planned and coordinated the movement of hundreds of foreign fighters into Afghanistan.

Sangeen has also been connected to many improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. In addition to his role in attacks, Sangeen Zadran is believed to have orchestrated the kidnappings of Afghans and foreign nationals in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sangeen also acts as a senior lieutenant to Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, also a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and listed at the United Nations 1988 Sanctions Committee.

In addition to the U.S. domestic action taken today, the United Nations 1988 Sanctions Committee’s listing will require all UN member states to implement an assets freeze, a travel ban, and an arms embargo against this individual. The actions taken against this individual demonstrate international resolve in eliminating his ability to execute violent attacks and to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorist networks, according to the State Department.

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