Saudi Arabia has blacklisted two senior commanders of Hezbollah, the group founded by the Iranian regime’s Revolutionary Guards, for their involvement in regional terrorist operations.
The sanctioning of Khalil Yusif Harb and Muhammad Qabalan for activities the Saudis alleged were designed to destabilize the kingdom’s close strategic allies in Yemen, Egypt and Lebanon is a sign of the kingdom’s growing coordination with the US Treasury Department,
The Wall Street Journal reported.The US Treasury sanctioned the same Lebanese men, who belong to the group, in August 2013.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of the Interior said in a statement: “The Saudi government will continue to combat Hezbollah’s terrorist activities with all available tools and will continue to work with partners around the world to make it clear that Hezbollah’s militant and extremist activities should not be tolerated by any nation.”
Adam Szubin, acting Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, added: “Today’s step taken by Saudi Arabia reflects the close counter-terrorism and information-sharing cooperation we enjoy and look forward to extending further.”
Saudi Arabia had accused Harb of playing a major role in funding the Iranian armed Houthi insurgents in Yemen, and said he has been providing hard currency to the Houthis since 2012 equal to at least $50,000 a month.
The Saudi statement added: “Harb was responsible for Hezbollah’s Yemen activities and was involved in the political side of Hezbollah’s Yemen portfolio.
“Qabalan has served as a top Hezbollah military commander and oversaw a cell of the Lebanese militia in Egypt, targeting tourist destinations in Egypt and was coordinating the cell’s activities from Lebanon.”