Overview

Gula Khan Hamidi is a U.S.-designated representative and facilitator for the Haqqani network, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The U.S. government accuses Hamidi of operating his own “facilitation network,” and since at least 2013, has worked to facilitate funds, communications, and travel for members and associates of the terror group. Additionally, Hamidi has facilitated the travel of other extremists, including associates of al-Qaeda and the Tahrik-e Taliban (TTP).“Treasury Sanctions Taliban and Haqqani Network Financiers and Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 25, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0265.

According to the Treasury Department, Hamidi has transferred funds on behalf of the Haqqani network on multiple occasions, such as a 2013 transfer of $21,000 to a senior Haqqani leader. He also organized the transfer of funds to German members of the Haqqani network in Pakistan in early 2014, and “likely” helped the group transfer funds to a Pakistan-based Uzbek extremist that July.“Treasury Sanctions Taliban and Haqqani Network Financiers and Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 25, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0265.

The U.S. government also accuses Hamidi of facilitating travel and communications for Haqqani network members. In 2013, Hamidi worked with two senior Haqqani network leaders––including Nasiruddin Haqqani, the son of the group’s founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani––to facilitate the travel of an associate to Turkey. The following year, he also facilitated the travel of an Uzbek member of the group and his associates between Pakistan and Turkey. Hamidi also facilitated communications between Haqqani network officials and their contacts in Syria in 2014 and 2015. Also in 2014, Hamidi served as an “honored representative” of the group in meetings with Syrian extremist group leaders in Syria.“Treasury Sanctions Taliban and Haqqani Network Financiers and Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 25, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0265.

Additionally, Hamidi has worked to smuggle and coordinate the travel of individuals across Europe and Asia, including foreign fighters and members of other extremist groups. For example, in 2013, Hamidi facilitated the travel of two groups of foreign fighters from Turkey to Pakistan. In 2014, he facilitated the travel of al-Qaeda and TTP associates to Turkey. In 2017, Hamidi coordinated the smuggling of an Afghan national from Turkey to Syria, and of other individuals from Afghanistan to Europe. According to the U.S. Treasury, he has worked to smuggle individuals from Afghanistan to Syria, and from Turkey into Europe.“Treasury Sanctions Taliban and Haqqani Network Financiers and Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 25, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0265.

On January 25, 2018, the U.S. Treasury designated Hamidi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 25, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180125.aspx.