US plans to impose sanctions on member of ‘Presidential Leadership Council’

LONDON, Feb. 13 (YPA) -Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, revealed the US Treasury’s intentions to impose sanctions on Abdulrahman Saleh Abu Zar’ah Al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council and commander of the UAE-funded ‘Al-Amaliqa Brigades.’

Al-Muslimi’s comments came after a meeting between Al-Mahrami and Stephen Fagin, the US Ambassador to the Saudi-led coalition-backed government, last Monday in the UAE.

“What’s the timeline between this meeting and when the U.S. Treasury will finally impose sanctions on Abu Zarah? Anyone wanna bet?” Al-Muslimi questioned in a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

Al-Muslimi’s remarks come in the context of American reports accusing Al-Mahrami of funding extremist terrorist groups in the southern provinces, in addition to the presence of elements from Al-Qaeda, including internationally wanted individuals, within the “Al-Amaliqa Brigades” he leads.

The reports also highlighted Al-Mahrami’s involvement in corruption, money laundering, and terrorism financing through companies and banks in which he holds shares, using his influence within the ‘Presidential Leadership Council.’

This US move is part of Washington’s broader efforts to combat what it calls ‘terrorism,’ particularly amid the escalating terrorist activities in coalition-held areas. There are expectations of freezing Al-Mahrami’s assets, banning his international financial dealings, and placing him under house arrest in Abu Dhabi.

@E.Y.M