Overview

Mohamad Akbar is a U.S.-designated member of an ISIS cell in South Africa. On November 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Akbar as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for his membership in the Durban-based ISIS cell.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084.

Akbar is reportedly a close associate of Farhad Hoomer, a U.S.-designated terrorist who launched ISIS’s operations in South Africa.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084. The two have been connected since at least October 2018, when Akbar, Hoomer, and 10 others were arrested for suspected involvement in planting incendiary devices near a mosque and commercial buildings.Kailene Pillay, “KZN terror suspects accused of Woolworths bombings and deadly mosque attack free after 2-year court battle,” IOL, July 14, 2020, https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/kzn-terror-suspects-accused-of-woolworths-bombings-and-deadly-mosque-attack-free-after-2-year-court-battle-50948917; Andrew Tobin, “U.S. Treasury Designates Four ISIS Financiers in South Africa,” Long War Journal, March 7, 2022, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2022/03/u-s-treasury-designates-four-isis-financiers-in-south-africa.php. On May 10, 2018, assailants attacked the Imam Hussain Mosque, the only Shiite mosque in the Verulam neighborhood of Durban. Several men attacked worshippers, stabbing and injuring two, and fatally slitting the throat of another. Additionally, the assailants set fire to an area of the mosque. Following the attack, an undetonated incendiary device was found in the same mosque. Five similar incendiary devices were discovered in July of that year, with three being planted at a shopping center, and two having been discovered under parked cars at the popular Durban July festival.“Country Report on Terrorism 2018 - Chapter 1 - South Africa,” U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2018/#South_Africa.

Following their arrest in October 2018, the men were accused of being aligned with ISIS and were charged with attempted murder, arson, and extortion. Nivashni Nair, “Four men sanctioned in US for alleged links to 'Isis cell leader' are free in South Africa,” Sowetan Live, November 8, 2022, https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-11-08-four-men-sanctioned-in-us-for-alleged-links-to-isis-cell-leader-are-free-in-south-africa. The defendants were granted bail on November 27, 2018. “Country Reports on Terrorism 2018,” U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2018. However, on July 14, 2020, the Verulam Magistrate’s Court dismissed the case as the state did not have sufficient evidence to proceed with their case against Hoomer and his associates. Kailene Pillay, “KZN terror suspects accused of Woolworths bombings and deadly mosque attack free after 2-year court battle,” IOL, July 14, 2020, https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/kzn-terror-suspects-accused-of-woolworths-bombings-and-deadly-mosque-attack-free-after-2-year-court-battle-50948917; Andrew Tobin, “U.S. Treasury Designates Four ISIS Financiers in South Africa,” Long War Journal, March 7, 2022, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2022/03/u-s-treasury-designates-four-isis-financiers-in-south-africa.php.

Given Akbar’s membership within ISIS’s South Africa cell, on November 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Akbar as an SDN.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084.

Also Known As

• Hamza Akbar“Specially Designated Nationals List Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20221107.