UN slaps sanctions on entities, individuals linked to IS, al-Qaeda

The UN security council unanimously adopted a resolution to impose sanctions on two armed groups, two entities and four individuals linked to the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda.

The two armed groups are the al-Qaeda-linked Jund al Aqsa and the IS-linked Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Waleed, both fighting in Syria.

Two money exchange businesses based in Syria — Hanifa Money Exchange Office and Selselat al Thabab — are believed to have financial relations with the terrorist groups and were put on the sanction list.

Muhammad Naim, Anggih Tamtomo, Ornaa Rochman, Murad Margoshvili and Malik Barkhanoev were added to the list because of their participation in terrorist attacks associated with IS and al-Qaeda.

The measures include asset freeze, a global travel ban and an arms embargo which prevents direct or indirect supply of arms or related materials to the individuals and entities, according to the resolution.

“Terrorism is the enemy of mankind,” said Liu Jieyi, China’s ambassador to the UN and security council president for July.

“Anti-terrorism operations must adhere to a uniform standard, give a full play to the leading role of the UN and the Security Council, and strengthen effective coordination among all parties.’’

“China supports the international community in taking comprehensive and effective measures to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.

“Counter-terrorism on combating the use of internet by terrorists to spread, incite, and organise terrorist attacks as well as the challenges of terrorist financing and foreign terrorists,” he said.