Analyst calls US sanctioning of terrorist groups to reinforce relations with Egypt

BY

-

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 - 12:30 GMT

BY

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 - 12:30 GMT

Hasm terrorist group logo - official Twitter account

Hasm terrorist group logo - official Twitter account

CAIRO – 26 September 2017: Jonathan Schanzer, a former terrorism-finance analyst for the U.S. Department of Treasury and senior vice president at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote an op-ed in New York Post on Saturday suggesting sanctioning two terrorist groups that conducted several attacks in Egypt.

The article comes amid an intricate phase between the United States and Egypt as the former halted $400 million last month in pre-dominantly military assistance over concern regarding the human rights status in the Egypt.

The author argues that such measure against Hasm and Liwaa al-Thawra terrorist groups might improve the relations between both countries.

“But with the stakes in the Mideast sky-high these days, America cannot afford to jeopardize an alliance that has been one of its most critical in the region for the past 40 years. Remember: Egypt has strong ties with Israel, takes a no-nonsense stance against Islamist violence and has helped fight the Islamic State,” Schanzer said.

The analyst emphasized that would send a positive message to the Egyptian people and demonstrate “America’s own commitment to fighting terror.”

Both groups were formed following the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi, who is a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, after mass protests took place on July 3, 2013. Both groups conducted a series of assassinations on judiciary and security personnel, and attacks on checkpoints.

“It is clear the two groups meet federal-government criteria for the terrorist label, making them obvious candidates for Treasury’s targeted financial-sanctions program. They might also meet the State Department’s definition of a Foreign Terrorist Organization, though that designation process is more of a political minefield,” Schanzer explained.

Comments

0

Leave a Comment

Be Social