Biden administration sanctions terror group Hezbollah's international financing network

The Biden administration issued sanctions Friday against an international financial network tied to Hezbollah, the Lebanese-based political-militant group also designated as a terrorist organization.

The sanctions target 10 companies and three individuals that participated in actions to evade primary sanctions on Hezbollah and used the international financial system to raise funds for the group, the administration said, according to The Hill.

"These financial facilitators have helped Hizballah obtain funds through networks of companies that disguise themselves as legitimate businesses," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. "The sanctions evasion efforts of those designated today are a stark example of how Hizballah abuses the international financial system to fund its acts of terrorism and illicit activities."

The individuals sanctioned include such Hezbollah members in Lebanon as Adnan Ayad, who is said to be the operator of an international network of companies, and his son, Jihad Adnan Ayad, who's associated with his father's businesses.

Ali Adel Diab was also sanctioned by the Treasury Department. He's the son of Adel Diab, another sanctioned Hezbollah member who is the director and partner of Hamer and Nail Construction, a Zambia-based company, which is also sanctioned by the U.S. for providing material or financial support for sanctioned individuals.

Another company in Zambia was also sanctioned, in addition to one in Germany and eight in Lebanon.

"Today's action exposes and targets Hizballah's misuse of the international financial system to raise and launder funds for its destabilizing activities as the Lebanese people suffer during an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.

The sanctions are in addition to those announced earlier this week by the Treasury Department against a  Lebanese tourism company and three Lebanese businessmen for their financial support of Hezbollah.