US targets informal banks for alleged aid to Taliban

To attack the financial underpinnings of Taliban militants,the US on Friday slapped sanctions against a pair of informal money-exchange networks in Afghanistan and Pakistan for alleged terrorist financing.

The Department of Treasury slapped sanctions against two exchange houses Haji Khairullah Haji Sattar Money Exchange HKHS and Roshan Money Exchange RMX which principally operate in Afghanistan and Pakistan,for storing or moving money for the Taliban. It also designated the co-owners of HKHS,Haji Abdul Sattar Barakzai and Haji Khairullah Barakzai,for donating money and providing financial services to the Taliban. Both operate as hawalas and have been used by the Taliban to facilitate money transfers in support of the Talibans narcotics trade and terrorist operations.

On Friday,the United Nations also added Haji Abdul Sattar Barakzai,Haji Khairullah Barakzai,HKHS and RMX to its 1988 List of individuals,groups,undertakings and entities associated with the Taliban in constituting a threat to the peace,stability and security of Afghanistan.

Todays action,which coincides with action by the UN,is aimed at disabling two key financial hubs supporting the Taliban, said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S Cohen.