U.S. widens sanctions on Islamic State, al-Qaida branches

WASHINGTON – The U.S. is expanding sanctions against groups and individuals associated with al-Qaida and Islamic State group affiliates in the Middle East.

The State Department is designating branches of the Islamic State in Libya, Yemen and Saudi Arabia as global terrorists. The State Department says they became branches in 2014 when the Islamic State group’s leader accepted their oath of allegiance.

The Treasury Department is also imposing sanctions on six individuals for supporting or fundraising for IS or al-Qaida, including al-Qaida’s branch operating in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Those sanctions also target the Nusra Front, the al-Qaida group in Syria fighting in close quarters with U.S.-backed opposition forces.

The actions freeze any property the individuals or groups have within U.S. jurisdiction and ban Americans from doing business with them.