US designates Muslim Brotherhood organizations in three countries as terrorist groups

US Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Groups

The US government has designated Muslim Brotherhood organisations in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as “terrorist” groups, according to reports from the Associated Press. This decision follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this month, directing his administration to begin the process of blacklisting the groups.

In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the designations reflect “the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs.” The US will use all available tools to deprive these groups of resources to engage in or support terrorism.

The designations make it illegal to provide material support to the groups, ban their current and former members from entering the US, and impose economic sanctions to choke their revenue streams. The Muslim Brotherhood was established in 1928 by Egyptian scholar Hassan al-Banna and has branches across the Middle East, including political parties and social organisations.

The group’s affiliates claim to be committed to peaceful political participation. However, some countries have taken a different view, with Jordan banning the organisation last year due to alleged links to a sabotage plot. Egypt also outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, launching a crackdown against its leaders and members that drove the organisation underground.

The US designations are part of an ongoing effort by Washington to counter the activities of rival groups across the world.

Source: Al Jazeera