The United States is designating seven leaders of a militant jihadist organization linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist group for their roles in the hostage-taking of US nationals in West Africa, the State Department said on Tuesday.
"The Department of State is today designating a total of seven Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun leaders for their involvement in the hostage-taking of US nationals in West Africa," the statement said.
Four of them are also being designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, the State Department said in a separate fact sheet.
In addition, two JNIM leaders are being designated by the Department of the Treasury for allegedly providing material support to an act of hostage-taking involving a US national, the statement said.
* Terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia and many other states.