Iranian designated ‘global terrorist’ by US for subversive activities in Bahrain

LONDON: The US Department of State designated Iran-based Qassim Abdullah Ali Ahmed as a global terrorist on Monday, according to a statement.

Also known as Qassim Al-Muamen, Ahmed is a leader of the Al-Ashtar Brigade (AAB), a group which the US has labelled a “Foreign Terrorist Organization.”

As part of Executive Order 13224, Ahmed has been highlighted as posing a “significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.”

The designation from the US Department of State seeks to deny Ahmed “resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks.” 

Under the sanctions, Ahmed’s property and interests subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and American citizens are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him.

The AAB seeks to overthrow the Bahraini government, and Ahmed has previously recruited terrorists in Bahrain, trained AAB members how to use weaponry and explosives as well as funded AAB members to carry out attacks.

In November 2017, Bahraini authorities identified Ahmed as being involved in an AAB plot to assassinate prominent figures in Bahrain and target three oil pipelines.