Osama
bin Laden's son has been added to a US counter terrorism sanctions list.
The
US Treasury today said Hamza bin Laden, who has been tipped as a future leader
of al-Qaeda, had been to the security black list formally recognising him as a
global terrorist.
The
government also added senior al-Qaeda leader Ibrahim Al-Banna to the list.
The
sanctions formally identify the subject as a terrorist to the international
community and restricts their ability to garner support for terrorist
activities including financial resources.
As
a result of the designation, all property subject to US jurisdiction in which
Hamza has interests is blocked and US citizens are prohibited from engaging in
any transactions with him.
Ibrahim
al-Banna is a senior member of AQAP who has served as the group's security
chief and has provided military and security guidance to AQAP leaders, the
State Department said.
The
United States has offered a $5 million reward for him.
The
bans come only months after Hamza featured in a video promising to take revenge
for the assassination of his dad.
Hamza
was often reported to be aged 23 or 24 but the US government notice puts his
year of birth as 1989, meaning he is aged around 27.
He
was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In
a statement, the US State Department said: "On August 14, 2015 Hamza bin
Laden, son of Usama bin Laden, was officially announced by al-Qa’ida senior
leader Ayman al-Zawahiri as an official member of the group.
"In
this 2015 audio message from al-Zawahiri, bin Laden called for acts of
terrorism in western capitals.
"On
July 9, 2016, al-Qa’ida issued another audio message from Hamza bin Laden
threatening revenge against the United States and warned Americans they would
be targeted in the United States and abroad.
"Specifically,
in 2015, bin Laden called for lone offender attacks against US, French, and
Israeli interests in Washington, D.C.; Paris, France; and Tel Aviv, Israel.
"Additionally,
in 2016, bin Laden called on Saudi Arabian-based tribes to unite with
al-Qa’ida’s affiliate in Yemen to wage war against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"The
imposition of sanctions by the United States against terrorists is a powerful
tool.
"Today’s
action notifies the US public and the international community that Hamza bin
Laden is actively engaged in terrorism.
"Designations
of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and
individuals, and result in denial of access to the US financial system.
"In
this 2015 audio message from al-Zawahiri, bin Laden called for acts of
terrorism in western capitals.
"On
July 9, 2016, al-Qa’ida issued another audio message from Hamza bin Laden
threatening revenge against the United States and warned Americans they would
be targeted in the United States and abroad.
"Specifically,
in 2015, bin Laden called for lone offender attacks against US, French, and
Israeli interests in Washington, D.C.; Paris, France; and Tel Aviv, Israel.
"Additionally,
in 2016, bin Laden called on Saudi Arabian-based tribes to unite with
al-Qa’ida’s affiliate in Yemen to wage war against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"The
imposition of sanctions by the United States against terrorists is a powerful
tool.
"Today’s
action notifies the US public and the international community that Hamza bin
Laden is actively engaged in terrorism.
"Designations
of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and
individuals, and result in denial of access to the US financial system.
"Moreover,
designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other US
agencies and other governments."
Taking
to social media in a 21-minute rant, Hamza vowed to continue with al-Qaeda’s
work.
In
a video, posted on Twitter, the terrorist's son says that the United States
will be targeted in terror attacks similar to 9/11.
The
footage was released by Al-Qaeda, and sees Hamza claim: "We are all
Osama”.
Bin
laden said: "We will continue striking you and targeting you in your
country and abroad in response to your oppression of the people of Palestine,
Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and the rest of the Muslim lands that
did not survive your oppression.
"As
for the revenge by the Islamic nation for Sheikh Osama, may Allah have mercy on
him, it is not revenge for Osama the person but it is revenge for those who
defended Islam."
The
late al-Qaeda leader had been the world's most wanted man since the 9/11
attacks on America in 2001.
He
was tracked down to a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed on May 2
2011 in a raid by US special forces.
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