US and Turkey Take Joint Action, Impose Sanctions on Financial Facilitators of Syrian Terrorist Groups

On May 2, 2023, the United States and Turkey took joint action for the second time this year in imposing sanctions. The move targeted two individuals who were found to be financial facilitators of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (“HTS”) and Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (“KTJ”), both of which are sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations. This is the latest effort to counter the financing of terrorism in Syria, and follows a prior joint action in January that targeted parties associated with the financial facilitation network of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (“ISIS”).

The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) released a statement regarding the sanctions, which explains that the joint action “continues the cooperation between the United States and Turkey to counter the financing of terrorist groups that perpetuate violence and instability throughout the region.” The sanctions were imposed by OFAC, the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance, and the Turkish Ministry of Interior. OFAC added these parties to its List of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons (“SDN List”), essentially cutting these parties off from the US financial system and transactions involving a US nexus. Turkey’s Treasury and Interior ministries implemented an asset freeze against the targeted parties.

The targeted parties are accused of financially facilitating terrorism in Syria, and their inclusion on the SDN List reflects a determination by the US and Turkey that they pose a significant threat to international peace and security. The SDN List is used to prevent the targeted individuals or entities from accessing the US financial system or conducting any transactions involving US persons or entities. The asset freeze imposed by the Turkish government prohibits the targeted parties from engaging in any financial transactions within Turkey and freezes their assets within the country.

This joint action is an example of increased international coordination on sanctions, as countries around the world continue to work together to counter the financing of terrorism. The US and Turkey have long been allies in the fight against terrorism, and this latest joint action demonstrates their commitment to disrupting the financing networks that support terrorist organizations in Syria.

The United States has been active in imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in terrorism and the financing of terrorism. In addition to the SDN List, the US has also implemented a number of other sanctions programs aimed at targeting terrorism and its financial networks. The US has also worked closely with other countries to impose joint sanctions against individuals and entities involved in terrorism, as seen in this latest joint action with Turkey.

Turkey, for its part, has also been active in implementing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in terrorism. The Turkish government has been particularly focused on disrupting the financing networks that support terrorist organizations in Syria, as well as targeting individuals and entities that support Kurdish separatist groups in Turkey.

The joint action taken by the US and Turkey is just one example of the growing international cooperation on sanctions, as countries around the world work together to combat the financing of terrorism. This collaboration is crucial in the fight against terrorism, as it allows countries to share information, resources, and expertise, and to coordinate their efforts in disrupting the financial networks that support terrorist organizations.

In conclusion, the joint sanctions action taken by the United States and Turkey against two individuals accused of supporting terrorist groups is a significant step in the ongoing fight against terrorism and the financing of terrorism. The move demonstrates the continued commitment of both countries to disrupting the financial networks that support terrorist organizations in Syria and beyond. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation on sanctions enforcement and serves as a reminder to financial institutions of the need to remain vigilant for potential sanctions violations.