US Treasury Sanctions Yemeni Businessman Hamid al-Ahmar for Alleged Hamas Support

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on Monday against Yemeni businessman Hamid Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar and nine of his companies for allegedly providing material support to Hamas. According to a Treasury statement, al-Ahmar, a Yemeni citizen residing in Turkey, is a key figure in Hamas's previously undisclosed investment portfolio, which at its peak managed over $500 million in assets.

The statement alleges that since at least 2013, al-Ahmar has served as the head of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Quds International Charity Foundation based in Lebanon. The Treasury Department designated al-Ahmar under Executive Order 13224, as amended, for providing material support to Hamas.

The Treasury also sanctioned nine companies, stating they are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or directed by al-Ahmar:

• Al Ahmar Trading Group, based in Yemen.
• Al Ahmar Oils Supply and Distribution, based in Yemen.
• Sama International Media, based in Yemen.
• Al Salam Trading and Agencies General Establishment, based in Yemen. 
• Saba, Trade & Investment S.R.O., based in Czechia.
• Sabafon International SAL (Offshore), based in Lebanon.
• Sabaturk Dis Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, based in Türkiye.
• Vivid Enerji Yatirimlari Anonim Sirketi, based in Türkiye.
• Investrade Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi, based in Türkiye.