US classifies ISIS-Philippines, Maute group as terror organizations

MANILA, Philippines — The United States State Department has designated the ISIS-Philippines and the Maute group along with other jihadist organizations and individuals as terrorist entities.

The US state department branded ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa and ISIS-Bangladesh as “specially designated global terrorists” and as “foreign terrorist organizations.”

As a result of these designations, Americans are prohibited from engaging in transactions with these groups.

“The group’s property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked. In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to the organizations,” the US state department said.

Maute group, along with ISIS-affiliated groups such as ISIS-Somalia, Jund al-Khilafah-Tunisia, ISIS-Egypt and ISIS-affiliated leaders Mahad Moalim and Abu Musab al-Barwani, has been also classified as “specially designated global terrorists.”

The department noted that Maute group, which is responsible for the five-month long siege in Marawi City, has declared its allegiance to ISIS in 2014 and is “an integral part of the ISIS-Philippines.”

Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Sales stressed that “these designations target key ISIS-affiliated groups and leaders outside its fallen caliphate in Iraq and Syria.”

“Today’s actions are a critical step in degrading ISIS’ global network and denying its affiliates the resources they need to plan and carry out terrorist attacks,” he said.

The country’s Department of Foreign Affairs, moreover, welcomed the move of the US state department, noting that countering terrorism continues to be a priority of the administration.

“Terrorism is a global and regional challenge and cooperation with key allies is critical in averting terrorist operations,” DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing Wednesday.

The US Treasury Department also added ISIS-Philippines and Maute group to its sanction list for global terrorism.

The treasury department earlier sanctioned Abdulpatta Escalon Abubakar for providing support for ISIS and advancing violent extremism in Southeast Asia.

READ: US slaps sanctions on Filipino, others for supporting ISIS, acts of terrorism

The capital of Lanao del Sur was ravaged by clashes between government forces and Islamic State-linked terrorists who attacked the predominantly Muslim city in May 2017.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi from terrorists after Marawi siege leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed in a military operation