logo
Kuwait targets Hezbollah finances with sanctions

Kuwait targets Hezbollah finances with sanctions

Shafaq News28-07-2025
Shafaq News – Kuwait
On Monday, Kuwait's Foreign Ministry added Lebanon's Hezbollah group, its affiliated charity Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, and three individuals to its sanctions and asset-freeze list.
The listing includes Lebanese national A.M.M. (born May 18, 1966), Tunisian national A.F.M.Q. (born October 5, 1991), and Somali national A.M., born between 1950 and 1953.
Kuwait's sanctions committee instructed all financial institutions and companies to enforce the designation, citing Articles 21, 22, and 23 of the executive regulations implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Although Al-Qard Al-Hassan presents itself as a social and financial support organization, it is widely considered one of Hezbollah's most significant financial arms. Operating outside Lebanon's formal monetary and credit oversight framework, it has drawn ongoing scrutiny from international sanctions bodies.
The sanctions follow reports stating that Lebanese authorities were preparing to shut down all branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan as part of a broader effort to close currency exchange offices and financial entities allegedly linked to Hezbollah.
Lebanese officials later downplayed those reports, denying any closures.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lebanon: Government seeks army plan for state arms monopoly
Lebanon: Government seeks army plan for state arms monopoly

Shafaq News

timean hour ago

  • Shafaq News

Lebanon: Government seeks army plan for state arms monopoly

Shafaq News – Beirut Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced, on Tuesday, that the army has been instructed to develop a phased plan to place all weapons under state authority by the end of 2025. Following a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Salam confirmed that ministers will reconvene on August 9 to continue reviewing the US-backed policy document on arms control and broader security sector reform. He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to UN Resolution 1701 while asserting the nation's right to defend itself. The session ended after ministers from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement walked out in protest of the disarmament plan, according to Information Minister Paul Morcos. Washington has increased pressure on the Lebanese government to formally commit to disarming Hezbollah, warning that Israeli attacks could escalate further if no such pledge is made, according to Reuters. Earlier today, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected what he described as unacceptable US demands to dismantle the group's arsenal, vowing not to accept any new agreement that seeks to disarm the party. In June, US envoy Tom Barrack reportedly presented Lebanese officials with a roadmap for Hezbollah's full disarmament, which includes a proposed cabinet resolution explicitly committing to that objective.

Iraq faces 'extremely dangerous' drought amid Turkey's water cuts: MP
Iraq faces 'extremely dangerous' drought amid Turkey's water cuts: MP

Rudaw Net

timean hour ago

  • Rudaw Net

Iraq faces 'extremely dangerous' drought amid Turkey's water cuts: MP

Also in Iraq Iraq car market sees 75 percent spike in Chinese imports: Expert Lawmakers reject US intervention in PMF bill Hezbollah censures Iraqi PM over deadly Baghdad clashes Iraq's reputation at 'risk' if PMF law passes: Former US diplomat A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is in an 'extremely dangerous' state due to water scarcity, a lawmaker warned Tuesday, blaming Turkey for backtracking on its promise to release more water and citing a broader crisis driven by upstream dams and climate change. Thaer al-Jabouri, a member of the Iraqi parliament's agriculture, irrigation, and marshlands committee, told Rudaw that the country is going through an 'extremely dangerous' situation in terms of drought and water scarcity. He attributed part of the water shortage to Turkey, saying that Ankara 'has not committed to releasing Iraq's water share. It has regretted the decision to release more water to Iraq. The increase in water lasted only a few days and then returned to the same previous situation.' In early July, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani ordered the monitoring of water flows from Turkey, after a meeting between parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to an Iraqi parliament statement at the time, Erdogan approved Mashhadani's 'request to release 420 cubic meters of water per second daily." On Saturday, Ahmed Dubardani, a member of the Nineveh Provincial Council's agriculture and water committee, blamed a massive drop in water levels at Iraq's largest dam, Mosul Dam in northern Iraq's Nineveh province, on a dry winter and reduced releases from Turkey. 'The reduced water releases from Turkey is the main reason,' he told Rudaw, explaining that while the rate should be 600 cubic meters per second from the Tigris River, it is only releasing 100. Iraq is facing a severe water shortage because of reduced precipitation, higher temperatures, mismanagement, and upstream dams in neighboring countries. It ranks fifth among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. Iraq does not have a comprehensive water-sharing agreement with Turkey and Iran, and this, combined with a drier winter this year, has made the situation more critical. 'The year 2025, due to the continued decrease of incoming water from neighboring countries, especially Turkey, will be one of the most difficult years that Iraq will go through,' Aoun Diab Abdullah, Iraq's water resources minister, Iraqi state media. He said that Turkey's dams on the Euphrates River for electricity generation have caused a reduction in incoming water to Syria and Iraq. According to the minister, the amount of water released from Turkey to the Syrian border is currently about 350 cubic meters per second, but the amount that actually reaches the Haditha Dam - located about 200 kilometers northwest of Baghdad - decreases to less than 200 cubic meters per second. The World Resources Institute places Iraq among 25 countries that face extreme water stress, meaning it is using over 80 percent of its available water supply and is at risk of running out of water in the event of a short-term drought. Water scarcity in Iraq is also pushing families in severely drought-struck regions to the brink. In late July, Migration and Displaced Ministry spokesperson Ali Abbas told Rudaw that over 17,000 families have migrated from the Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan provinces in the past decade due to 'drought, water scarcity, and desertification.' Public pressure is also growing. Southern provinces like Basra have seen widespread protests in recent months over severe water shortages and pollution. Nahro Mohammed contributed to this report.

Iraq car market sees 75 percent spike in Chinese imports: Expert
Iraq car market sees 75 percent spike in Chinese imports: Expert

Rudaw Net

timean hour ago

  • Rudaw Net

Iraq car market sees 75 percent spike in Chinese imports: Expert

Also in Iraq Iraq faces 'extremely dangerous' drought amid Turkey's water cuts: MP Lawmakers reject US intervention in PMF bill Hezbollah censures Iraqi PM over deadly Baghdad clashes Iraq's reputation at 'risk' if PMF law passes: Former US diplomat A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Chinese car imports have surged by 75 percent in Iraq, transforming the country's auto market and sparking intense competition, according to an Iraqi economic studies and consultations organization. Manar al-Obaidy, head of the Iraqi Future Foundation, stated on Monday that direct vehicle imports from China, Japan, and South Korea reached '39,500 units in the first half of the year,' marking a 17.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Chinese vehicles accounted for the largest share of this growth, with 18,000 units imported. Obaidy attributed the growing demand to Iraq's expanding population, which increases by 'roughly one million people annually.' He emphasized that the affordability of Chinese vehicles - many of which are modeled after well-known American and Japanese brands - 'has made their ownership more achievable for different income brackets.' The average price of an imported Chinese car is roughly $13,300, a stark contrast to the average price of a Japanese car at $34,500. This price competition is forcing other brands to adjust, Obaidy explained. He also pointed to a peculiar trend in the import of large-engine Korean vehicles, which are not in high demand locally. 'A considerable number of Korean cars with engines of 3,000cc or more have entered the market, even though demand for such vehicles is limited,' he said, suggesting that these imports are likely intended for re-export 'to benefit from the dollar price gap between the official rate and the free market.' This re-export scheme allows traders to benefit from the difference between the official and black-market dollar exchange rates. By using inflated or fake import invoices, traders can obtain US dollars at the official rate from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), then sell them on the black market for substantial profit. In the Kurdistan Region, local car dealers are witnessing the transformation firsthand. Hemin Ali, a car dealership owner in Erbil, told Rudaw on Monday that the market has been completely transformed. 'If we divide the import market into three parts, two-thirds are now Chinese cars,' said Ali, adding that 'for over eight months, the market has been dominated by Chinese brands. I now exclusively buy and sell Chinese vehicles.' Ali added that the influx of cheaper Chinese models has forced other brands to lower their prices. 'A Nissan that used to be priced at $16,000 is now selling for $12,500 to $13,000 because of Chinese competition.' Another significant trend noted by the Iraqi Future Foundation is a 45 percent increase in demand for hybrid vehicles, which use both gasoline and electricity. Ali highlighted the growing appeal of eco-friendly technology stating, 'Last month alone, I imported 104 hybrid cars - and sold all of them in just 18 days.' Of note, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has introduced several measures to promote the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, aimed at reducing air pollution and modernizing the region's transportation system. One of the most impactful steps is the full waiver of customs duties on electric vehicles. In September, the KRG eliminated import taxes on EVs as part of its push for cleaner energy. Additionally, the KRG has removed registration and annual environmental fees for electric cars. A directive signed by Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad in February made first-time registration of EVs free and exempted owners from recurring environmental fees. The ministry then-said the decision was in line with the directives of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, aimed at 'combating environmental pollution and promoting sustainable transportation.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store