Latest news with #USDepartmentofState
News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Why US Designating Pakistan's Lashkar Proxy TRF As ‘Foreign Terrorist Organisation' Matters
The designation follows TRF claiming responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians—the deadliest such attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai carnage In a decisive move aimed at countering terrorism in South Asia, the US Department of State has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The designation follows TRF's claim of responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians—the deadliest such attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai carnage. The TRF, widely known as a proxy and front of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has emerged in recent years as a dangerous player in orchestrating violence in Jammu & Kashmir. According to US officials, the group is responsible not only for the Pahalgam massacre, but also for multiple attacks on Indian security forces. In a statement released by the US Department of State, it was clarified that TRF and its aliases are now added to LeT's designation under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to acts of terrorism. 'These actions demonstrate the Trump administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Donald Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack," the statement noted. The US State Department also confirmed that it has reviewed and reaffirmed the designation of LeT as an FTO, ensuring that all associated entities, including TRF, are brought under the full scope of counter-terror sanctions. Strategic Implications and Global Cooperation The move is being widely interpreted as a strong signal of support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism. It also serves as a broader indication of the deepening India-US counterterrorism cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where geopolitical tensions are mounting. India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar welcomed the decision, calling it a 'strong affirmation of US-India counter-terrorism ties". In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: 'Appreciate Secretary Rubio and @StateDept for designating TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for terrorism." The designation brings with it significant legal and financial implications. It prohibits any US persons or entities from knowingly providing material support to TRF and allows for the seizure of its assets under US jurisdiction. It also enhances law enforcement efforts to counter individuals and networks associated with the group globally. Families of Victims Welcome US Move The designation was met with relief and a sense of justice by the families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims. Hyder Shah, father of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator who was killed while trying to save tourists, said: 'We are very happy that TRF has been declared a terrorist organisation. They killed my child in Pahalgam. This is a step toward justice." Adil's sister echoed his sentiments, adding that all terrorist organisations should be eliminated, and expressed faith in PM Modi's leadership on the issue of national security. Background: The Rise of TRF TRF emerged in late 2019, branding itself as an indigenous outfit in Kashmir. However, intelligence reports from both Indian and international agencies have confirmed its direct linkage to LeT. Experts say TRF was created to sidestep international pressure on Pakistan and LeT by projecting terrorism in Kashmir as 'home-grown". Despite its rebranding strategy, TRF has remained consistent with LeT's goals and tactics, including coordinated attacks on security personnel, targeted killings of civilians, and spreading radical propaganda online. What Comes Next? The TRF designation underscores the Biden-Trump continuity in foreign policy regarding terrorism, especially in South Asia. With this legal action, the US joins India in recognising and neutralising TRF's role as a terror front, effectively isolating it on the international stage. Further updates to the Federal Register will reflect the amended FTO designation, making the measures legally enforceable and binding under US law. This move is likely to prompt renewed international scrutiny of Pakistan's continued harbouring of terror groups and will serve as a deterrent for future attempts to mask its terrorist proxies by using aliases. The author is Editor, Brighter Kashmir, author, TV commentator, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : donald trump Lashkar-e-Taiba Pahalgam attack the resistance front United states First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
US embassy honours 35 Egyptian students selected for youth exchange programme
The US embassy in Cairo has honoured 35 Egyptian high school students chosen for the 2025-2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) programme. US Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg hosted a reception to celebrate 35 outstanding Egyptian high school students, who were chosen to participate in the KL-YES programme for the academic year 2025-2026. KL-YES is a flagship US Department of State programme awarding full scholarships for Egyptian high school students to spend a full academic year in the United States. The programme's participants live with American host families, attend US high schools, and engage in community service and cultural exchange activities, helping promote mutual understanding between Egypt and the United States. Since 2003, nearly 900 Egyptian students have participated in KL-YES. During the celebration, Ambassador Garg stated that hundreds of Egyptian students have travelled to the United States over the past 22 years and experienced the best aspects of American life. "They have been embraced by American host families with open arms, enjoyed American music and movies, and experienced the breadth of American cuisine,' he said. The ambassador affirmed that these types of exchange programmes are one of the many ways the embassy works to strengthen the ties between the two countries. This year's reception brought together KL-YES participants and their parents, US diplomats, KL-YES alumni, and representatives from Newton Education Services, Qalaa Holdings, and AFS Egypt, the programme's implementing partner for over two decades. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Biz Bahrain
2 days ago
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Bahrain, US and UK sign Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA)
As part of the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United States of America, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the US signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). The agreement was signed on behalf of Bahrain by Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States; on behalf of the United States of America by Maura Namdar, Senior Official at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State; and on behalf of the United Kingdom by Lucy Ferguson, Minister Counsellor for Foreign Policy, Security and Development at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid said that the C-SIPA agreement sets the groundwork for building stronger security cooperation and supporting prosperity in the Middle East. He emphasised that the agreement embodies the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Excellency President Donald Trump of the United States of America, towards achieving peace, stability, and prosperity for the countries and peoples of the region and the world. The agreement further expresses the current regional reality, which aspires to peace, prosperity, development, and cooperation by establishing normal relations between all the countries of the region. The ambassador commended the efforts of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to strengthen cooperation between Bahrain and the United States. He highlighted His Royal Highness's ongoing commitment to building a solid and strategic partnership that serves the shared interests of both nations. The ambassador emphasised that these efforts not only support progress and prosperity in Bahrain and the United States, but also contribute positively to the well-being of people across the region and the wider international community. Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid also commended the trilateral signing by Bahrain, the US, and the UK, on the accession of the UK to the C-SIPA agreement. He noted that the UK's accession represents a strategic milestone in consolidating regional security, stability, and prosperity and in enhancing international partnerships founded on common principles and values. The ambassador welcomed the UK's accession to the agreement, describing it as a multilateral framework that unites countries to strengthen regional security, enhance collective deterrence against external threats, and deepen cooperation in trade, science, and technology to enhance peace and prosperity in the Middle East. This shift from a bilateral to a multilateral agreement opens the door for other countries with shared goals to join. He expressed Bahrain's hope that more nations will become members, benefiting all citizens in the region and promoting broader cooperation, growth, and prosperity. BNA(R)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam attack: US takes strong stance against TRF, labels it Foreign Terrorist Organisation - The Economic Times Video
The US Department of State has designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for its role in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump still supports Syria's pathway to peaceful country: White House
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump still supports Syria's pathway to become a prosperous nation. In a weekly White House Press briefing on Thursday (local time), Leavitt said that after the US' intervention, the clashes are de-escalating in the region. Trump met the interim president of Syria a couple of months ago, where he described him as a 'young, tough, attractive guy'. "After the latest clashes in Syria over the last few days, Trump still supports Syria's pathway to a peaceful and prosperous country. And as soon as the United States became involved in this conflict, we were able to deescalate, deconflict. That seems to be continuing. Syria agreed to draw back their troops that were in the area where that clash was ongoing and we continue to be very actively monitoring the situation and the president wants to see Syria become a prosperous and stable country and by the lifting of the sanctions on Syria he's giving them a real chance to do that and he wants to see that through go ahead," Leavitt said. Meanwhile, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in her Press Briefing, "Regarding Israel's intervention and activity ... the United States did not support recent Israeli strikes. We are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states." Bruce said that the US has worked to quickly stop the escalation. "I won't speak to future conversations or past ones. What we're dealing with now is this particular episode, what was required, and I think we've been very clear about our displeasure, certainly that the President has, and we've worked very quickly to have it stopped," she said. As per Al Jazeera, Israel carried out an air strike in the vicinity of Syria's Suwayda, Syrian state news agency SANA said on Thursday. These strikes came despite a new ceasefire deal struck after four days of clashes between Druze armed groups, Bedouin tribes and government forces that have left hundreds dead. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
