Overview
Yunus Mohamad Akbar is a U.S.-designated senior member of ISIS in South Africa. On November 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Akbar as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided support to ISIS.“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 a businessman and close associate of Farhad Hoomer, a U.S.-designated terrorist who launched ISIS’s operations in South Africa. Akbar reportedly functions as an enforcer and logistical coordinator for 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. Among the businesses owned by Akbar are Bailey Holdings (PTY) LTD and Flexoseal Waterproofing Solutions (PTY) LTD. Along with Nufael Akbar—another senior leader within the South African ISIS cell—Akbar is the co-owner of HJ Bannister Construction CC.“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.
Given Akbar’s senior position within South Africa’s ISIS cell, on November 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Akbar as an SDN. Additionally, OFAC added Akbar’s aforementioned businesses to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.“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.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Enforcer and logistical coordinator
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Yunus Mohamad Akbar as a Specially Designated National on November 7, 2022.“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 U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Bailey Holdings (PTY) LTD, Flexoseal Waterproofing Solutions (PTY) LTD, and HJ Bannister Construction CC as Specially Designated Nationals on November 7, 2022.“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.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On April 3, 2017, the day Vladimir Putin was due to visit the city, a suicide bombing was carried out in the St. Petersburg metro, killing 15 people and injuring 64. An al-Qaeda affiliate, Imam Shamil Battalion, claimed responsibility.