On May 30, 2022, the European Council added Hurras al-Din, a Syria-based al-Qaeda affiliated group, along with its leader and religious leader to a list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda and their supporters, adopting Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/836 implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/837 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693. The EU Council reports that Hurras al-Din has established operational camps in Syria to provide terrorist training to its members for the planning of external terrorist operations. The Council also reports that several European foreign terrorist fighters have joined the group since its creation. Hurras al-Din and its leaders have also participated in Al-Qaeda propaganda and played a key role in promoting Al-Qaeda’s violent jihadist ideology and inciting terrorist acts, which, according to the Council, poses a serious and continued threat to the EU and to regional and international stability.
As a result of these sanctions, Hurras al-Din and the two leaders will be subject a travel ban and asset freeze in the EU. In addition, all EU persons and entities will be prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to them.
EU Council Press Release | Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/836 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/837