Jawad Nur-al-Din is the U.S.-designated director general of the Lebanon-based Martyrs Foundation, part of a transnational charitable network created by Iran to fund its terrorist proxies. In February 2020, the U.S. government imposed financial sanctions on Nur-al-Din, Sheikh Yusuf Aasi, Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi, and 12 Lebanon-based businesses for contributing to Hezbollah through the Martyrs Foundation.“Hezbollah’s Martyrs Foundation: purpose, mode of operation and funding methods,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, November 4, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/hezbollahs-martyrs-foundation-purpose-mode-operation-funding-methods/; “Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
Iran established the Martyrs Foundation in 1982 to help facilitate the transfer of funds to Hezbollah and Iran’s other proxies. The foundation provides monthly stipends for education and health care to the families of martyrs, with a specific focus on children. According to Israel’s Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, the Martyrs Foundation has an annual expenditure of $100 million. The foundation’s budget is partially provided by Iran through Hezbollah while the remainder is raised through its fundraising network.“Hezbollah’s Martyrs Foundation: purpose, mode of operation and funding methods,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, November 4, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/hezbollahs-martyrs-foundation-purpose-mode-operation-funding-methods/.
The U.S. government accuses the Martyrs Foundation of funneling money to Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terror groups in the Levant. According to the United States, senior members of the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon were directly involved in Hezbollah operations during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The Martyrs Foundation also created the Goodwill Charitable Organization (GCO), a fundraising office in Dearborn, Michigan, that acted as a Hezbollah front organization and reported to the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. The U.S. government designated both the Martyrs Foundation and GCO in July 2007.“Twin Treasury Actions Take Aim at Hizballah’s Support Network,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 24, 2007, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp503.aspx.
In his role with the Martyrs Foundation, Nur-al-Din oversees payments to the families of Hezbollah fighters who have been killed. Nur-al-Din works closely with and coordinates these payments with senior Hezbollah officials such as Hashem Safieddine. According to the U.S. government, Nur-al-Din publicly represents the Martyrs Foundation alongside senior Hezbollah officials including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
Along with Nur-al-Din, the United States also sanctioned Lebanon-based Atlas Holding and 11 other companies affiliated with the Martyrs Foundation. According to the Treasury Department, Atlas Holding is subordinate to Hezbollah’s Executive Council, which uses the company to conceal financial transactions for Hezbollah’s military activities. The Treasury Department accuses Hezbollah of using Atlas Holding to avoid financial sanctions. Atlas Holding owns or controls at least 10 companies in various Lebanese sectors, including fuel, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and clothing.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
Nur-al-Din is affiliated with seven of the 11 other companies the United States sanctioned in February 2020:
- Shahed Pharm: Nur-al-Din founded Shahed Pharm with Atlas Holding.
- Amana Plus Co.: Nur-al-Din and Bazzi founded the company.
- Al Kawthaw: Nur-al-Din founded the company with Atlas Holding.
- Amana Sanitary and Paints Company LTD: Nur-al-Din founded the company with Atlas Holding.
- City Pharma SARL: Nur-al-Din founded the company with Atlas Holding.
- Global Touristic Services SAL: Nur-al-Din founded the company with Atlas Holding and Bazzi. Nur-al-Din is also a member of the board of directors.
- Mirath SAL: Nur-al-Din is the chairman of the board and majority shareholder, as well as a founder of and authorized signatory for Mirath SAL.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned Atlas subsidiaries Amana Fuel Co., Sanovera Pharm Company SARL, Medical Equipment & Drugs International Corporation (Medic), and Capital SAL.“Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm917.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Jawad Nur-al-Din a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on February 26, 2020.“Counter Terrorism Designations; South Sudan-related Designations Removals,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226.aspx.
- Jawad Nourredine“Counter Terrorism Designations; South Sudan-related Designations Removals,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226.aspx.
- Shawqi Jawad Mohamad Shafiq Nur al-Din“Counter Terrorism Designations; South Sudan-related Designations Removals,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226.aspx.
- Shawqi Muhammad Shafiq Nur al-Din“Counter Terrorism Designations; South Sudan-related Designations Removals,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226.aspx.