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Sanctions Imposed in Coordination with Parallel Enforcement Action by the United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON – Today, the United States, in close partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), took action to disrupt the operations and support networks of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Specifically, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Al Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange (Al Omgy Exchange) and the company’s two owners Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy and Muhammed Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of Al Omgy Exchange, and Said and Muhammed al-Omgy subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Acting under its authorities, the Central Bank of the UAE recently took swift action to eliminate any access to the UAE financial sector by Al Omgy Exchange in advance of today’s OFAC action.

“Today’s action reflects the strength of the U.S. partnership with the United Arab Emirates to degrade AQAP's capabilities to execute violent attacks and to identify and disrupt its financial and support networks,” said Adam J. Szubin, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “Al Omgy Exchange and its owners are responsible for financially facilitating and supporting AQAP and its violent attacks. Treasury will continue to work with our allies to protect the international financial system by exposing and taking action against AQAP supporters.”

Al Omgy Exchange

OFAC designated Al Omgy Exchange today for providing financial services to or in support of AQAP.

Al Omgy Exchange, owned by Said al-Omgy and Muhammad al-Omgy, has been used by AQAP since at least December 2013 and as of early 2016 for AQAP’s financial transactions.

AQAP holds accounts at Al Omgy Exchange to disburse AQAP funding throughout Yemen and receive deposits, including extortion payments from Yemeni businesses. For example, in early 2016, AQAP ordered a Yemeni petroleum company in Yemen’s Hadramawt Governorate to transfer over $1 million to Al Omgy Exchange to support terrorist activities. In late 2015, AQAP controlled an Al Omgy Exchange account held by an AQAP official who oversaw AQAP’s taxation and business activities in Hadramawt, Yemen. This AQAP official could reportedly transfer funds to other AQAP officials through any Al Omgy Exchange locations in Yemen.

Additionally, as of early 2016, Al Omgy Exchange provided money to AQAP, which the group extorted from Al Omgy Exchange. Specifically, the owner of Al Omgy Exchange agreed to provide AQAP with a 10 percent commission on all Al Omgy Exchange transactions.

Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy

OFAC designated Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy for owning or controlling Al Omgy Exchange.

Since at least 2012, Said al-Omgy has co-owned Al Omgy Exchange. He has also served as Chairman of the Board and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Al Omgy Exchange for a number of years. As of early 2014, he also owned an unknown number of money exchanges and hawalas in Aden, Yemen, and used these institutions to conduct financial transactions for AQAP. Moreover, as of 2005, Said al-Omgy was fundraising in support of recruitment and training of Yemenis to join the Iraqi insurgency.

Muhammad Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy

OFAC also designated Muhammad Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy for owning or controlling Al Omgy Exchange and for providing financial and material support to AQAP.

Since at least 2012, Muhammad al-Omgy has co-owned Al Omgy Exchange and served as its Vice-Chairman of the Board. As of mid-2016, he was also responsible for managing Al Omgy Exchange as its Chief Executive Officer.

As of mid-2016, Muhammad al-Omgy was an AQAP member who reportedly facilitated a weapons cache to AQAP. That same year, he also provided money to an AQAP financial facilitator and money launderer who in turn provided the money for distribution to AQAP. Previously, Muhammad al-Omgy had engaged in weapons smuggling with an AQAP financial facilitator.

AQAP was designated by the Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in January 2010 pursuant to E.O. 13224. AQAP was designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates in November 2014 as per the national list of designated terrorist organizations pursuant to Federal Law No. 7 of 2014 on combating terrorist crimes.

here . For identifying information on the individuals and entity designated today, click