02 Aug 2023 | 09:33 AM UTC
Maldives: US sanctions 20 individuals and 29 companies in Maldives for terror activity as of Aug. 2
Multiple entities in Maldives sanctioned by the US for links to terror groups as of Aug. 2. Threat of attacks remain low.
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The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced July 31 that it has sanctioned 20 Maldivian nationals and 29 companies linked to them for involvement with terror groups. Embargoed people include members of a terror cell in Addu City affiliated to the Islamic State (IS) accused of plotting attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and drones, gangsters involved in robberies to purportedly finance Maldivian IS fighters in Syria, IS recruiters, as well as Al Qaeda operatives. US officials said the persons have targeted journalists and government officials. The list of designated entities can be found here.
Radicalization by Islamist terror outfits, mainly the IS, is a key security concern in Maldives. However, the risk of large and/or mass-casualty attacks remain low due to the limited capabilities of known terror modules as well as robust counter-terror and vigilance operations. Additionally, previous attacks have targeted locals, and occurred outside tourist islands.
