June 4, 2004Back

Terrorism Update: Somali's Assets Blocked; Zarqawi Officer Captured

The State Department and the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) are reporting recent examples of progress in the global war on terrorism.

A June 3 State Department press release says that a factional leader of the Somali terrorist organization al-Itihaad al-Islamiya had been designated under Executive Order 13224 that aims to disrupt the financing of terrorist networks. This action effectively blocks any assets of Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki (also known as Hassan Turki) in the United States that are held by Americans and bars most transactions with him, according to the statement.

In addition, the United States is asking the U.N. 1267 Sanctions Committee to add him to its list mandated by several U.N. Security Council resolutions. Once Hassan Turki is named, all U.N. members are obligated to impose certain sanctions against him, the statement said.

In other news, CENTCOM reported June 4 that Iraqi police in Baghdad captured on May 30 Umar Baziyani, described as "a known terrorist and murder suspect."

Considered an associate of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Baziyani is alleged to have ties to terrorist groups in Iraq, and thought to be responsible for the death and injury of Iraqi civilians. He is also said to be a suspect in anti-coalition activities.

Following are the texts of the news releases:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, D.C.
June 3, 2004

Designation of Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki under Executive Order 13224

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell designated, effective today, Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, leader of a faction of the Somali terrorist organization al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, under Executive Order 13224 on terrorism financing. This action effectively blocks his assets in the United States held by U.S. persons and bars most transactions with him. Executive Order 13224 authorizes the Secretary to designate foreign entities and individuals he determines -- in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Homeland Security -- to have committed, or to pose significant risk of committing, acts of terror that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

President Bush designated al-Itihaad al-Islamiya on September 24, 2001, as part of the original annex to Executive Order 13224.

Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, also known as Hassan Turki, has been associated with al-Qaeda and has provided support for acts of terrorism. For these reasons, the Secretary made today's designation. Because Hassan Turki has links to al-Qaeda, the United States will ask today that the U.N. 1267 Sanctions Committee include him on its consolidated list maintained pursuant to relevant U.N. Security Council Resolutions, including 1267 and 1526. Once Hassan Turki's name is listed, all U.N. Member States are obligated to impose certain sanctions against him: specifically, an arms embargo and a travel ban, as well as a freeze on his funds, other financial assets and economic resources and a prohibition on their nationals and any persons in their territories from making available to him any funds, other financial assets and economic resources.

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HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND

June 4, 2004


IRAQI POLICE CAPTURE KNOWN TERRORIST

Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraqi Police Forces detained Umar Baziyani, a known terrorist and murder suspect, on May 30 here.

Baziyani, an associate of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is known to have ties to several extremist terrorist groups in Iraq, and is believed to be responsible for the death and injury of scores of innocent Iraqi citizens. Authorities say Baziyani is also wanted in connection with anti-Coalition activities.

Baziyani remains in detention and is providing information to coalition forces. His capture removes one of Zarqawi's most valuable officers from his network.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)