Sheikh Yusuf Aasi is the U.S.-designated assistant CEO of Lebanon’s 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 Aasi, Kassem Mohamad Bazzi, Jawad Nur-al-Din, 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.
Aasi is the assistant CEO of the Martyrs Foundation and a cofounder of Lebanon-based Atlas Holding, which was among the companies the United States sanctioned in February 2020 for affiliation with 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. Aasi cofounded Atlas with Mohammad Ali Bashir and 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/. According to the U.S. government, 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.“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.
Atlas Holding owns or controls at least 10 companies in various Lebanese sectors, including fuel, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and clothing. According to the U.S. government, 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.“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.
In addition to Atlas, the United States sanctioned 11 companies linked to the Martyrs Foundation:
- Shahed Pharm: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Amana Plus Co.: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Al Kawthar: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Amana Sanitary and Paints Company LTD: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- City Pharma SARL: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Global Touristic Services SAL: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Amana Fuel Co.: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Sanovera Pharm Company SARL: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Medical Equipment & Drugs International Corporation (Medic): owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- Capital SAL: owned or controlled by Atlas Holding.
- 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.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Sheikh Yusuf Assi 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.
- Yusuf Abd al-Rida El Asi“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.