Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The United States on Tuesday has designated al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the group which claimed responsibility for the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also designated its two top leaders, Nasir Al-Wahishi and Said al-Shihri, under E.O. 13224, which prohibits transactions with persons who commit terrorism.

Secretary Clinton took these actions in consultation with the Attorney General Eric Holder and the Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner in order to prohibit provisional material support and arms to AQAP, to include immigration related restrictions that will help stem the flow of finances to AQAP, and give the Department of Justice the tools it needs to prosecute AQAP members.

AQAP is a Yemen-based terrorist organization that has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist acts against Saudi, Korean, Yemeni, and U.S. targets since its inception in January 2009. Such instances include a March 2009 suicide bombing against South Korean tourists in Yemen, the August 2009 attempt to assassinate Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Nayif, and the failed Christmas day attack on Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan.

These designations represent just one phase of the U.S. Government’s response to the threat posed by AQAP and its senior leaders. In addition, the U.S. has requested that similar actions be taken against AQAP, al-Shihri, al-Wahishi at the United Nations 1267 Committee. If successfully implemented, this will require all UN member states to implement an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo against these entities.

The U.S. State Department says they are determined to eliminate AQAP’s ability to execute violent attacks and disrupt, dismantle, and defeat their networks.