Overview
Hasan al-Shaban is a U.S.-designated, Turkey-based fundraiser who participated in a global financing scheme that supported al-Qaeda and militants in Syria. On July 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Shaban as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for exploiting global financial systems to support violent extremism.“Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida-Linked Financial Facilitators in Turkey and Syria,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0293; Thomas Joscelyn, “U.S. designates al Qaeda financial facilitator based in Turkey,” Long War Journal, July 28, 2021, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/07/u-s-designates-al-qaeda-financial-facilitator-based-in-turkey.php.
According to the Department of the Treasury, al-Shaban’s banking information was given to prospective al-Qaeda donors via an al-Qaeda member who raised funds for the jihadist group. The funds were then used to support al-Qaeda military efforts as well as fund the mujahideen fighting in Syria.“Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida-Linked Financial Facilitators in Turkey and Syria,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0293.
Al-Qaeda members were able to use bank accounts associated with al-Shaban to coordinate money transfers across North Africa, Western Europe, and North America. Additionally, al-Shaban coordinated the transfer of funds to Turkey. Al-Shaban allegedly operated in Manbij, Syria at some point.“Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida-Linked Financial Facilitators in Turkey and Syria,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0293.
On July 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Shaban as an SDN for assisting in and providing financial support to al-Qaeda.“Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida-Linked Financial Facilitators in Turkey and Syria,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0293.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Fundraiser
Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks was the deadliest ever on American soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. Since the fall of the Taliban, al-Qaeda has established operations worldwide, including in Syria, the Gulf, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Hasan al-Shaban as a Specially Designated National on July 28, 2021.“Counter Terrorism Designations; Syria and Syria-Related Designations and Designations Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20210728.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.