The U.S. government on Tuesday designated two leaders of a west African terrorist group as terrorists.
The U.S. Treasury said in a statement that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two leaders of Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) as terrorists.
"Treasury is targeting the leadership of JNIM, al-Qa'ida's branch in Mali, for its destabilizing role conducting terrorist attacks across the country," said Treasury Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker.
Bah Ag Moussa led a terrorist operation in this March against a Malian Armed Forces base in Dioura, Mali that killed at least 21 Malian soldiers, according to the statement.
Ali Maychou, who holds a leadership role in JNIM, was also designated as a terrorist.
As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of those designated targets that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction will be blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, the statement noted.
