Overview

Ibrahim Ali Daher is the U.S.-designated chief of Hezbollah’s Central Financial Unit.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170. As the head of the Central Financial Unit—one of the eight subunits of Hezbollah’s Executive Council—Daher oversees and directs Hezbollah’s financial operations.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170; “Organizational Chart,” Eye on Hezbollah, https://hezbollah.org/organizational-chart.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Daher has been a key figure in Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure for over a decade.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170. The Central Finance Unit in conjunction with the Bayt al-Mal—an Islamic financial institution that fulfills some of the functions of a bank—serve as Hezbollah’s finance ministry.“Funding terrorism: Hezbollah uses its websites to collect donations for itself and for its affiliated institutions in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world. The donations are deposited in bank accounts in Lebanon and Europe,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence and Commemoration Center, May 26, 2008, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/pdf/PDF_08_120_2.pdf. Headed by Daher, the Central Finance Unit is also comprised of dozens of officers who help Daher manage and audit the budgets of all Hezbollah units and departments. Additionally, the finance unit follows general directions on where to distribute funds from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170.

On May 11, 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Daher as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for his role as the chief of Hezbollah’s Central Finance Unit. Six other individuals were designated alongside Daher. Those individuals—which included Ahmad Mohamed Yazbeck, the financial director of Hezbollah’s financial firm, Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH)—participated in the “shadow banking” activities of Hezbollah. Accordingly, they maintained joint bank accounts in Lebanese banks on behalf of Hezbollah, allowing the group to transfer money within the formal financial system.“Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0170; “US Treasury sanctions 7 Lebanese tied to Hezbollah finances,” Associated Press, May 11, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-middle-east-lebanon-financial-markets-business-3056889c5315ebe82a2db64d2041765e.

On December 1, 2022, The U.S. government levied sanctions on the Lebanon-based Auditors for Accounting and Auditing (a.k.a. Auditors), of which Daher is a majority owner and managing partner. According to the Department of the Treasury, Auditors provided financial services to Hezbollah’s Central Finance Unit. Daher held a managerial role in the company for years, according to Treasury.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Accountants and Weapons Facilitator,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1135.

Also Known As

• Ibrahim Dahir“Counter Terrorism Designations, Ukraine-/Russia-related Designation Update, Syria Designations Removals, Foreign Sanctions Evaders Determination Removals,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 11, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20210511.