Designation of Dhamat Houmet Daawa Salafia under Executive Order 13224

Executive Order 13224 authorizes the Secretary of State to designate foreign entities and individuals he determines -- in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Homeland Security -- to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terror that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S. The designation of the Dhamat Houmet Daawa Salafia, which is effective October 17, 2003, blocks its assets in the U.S. and bars U.S. persons from most transactions with that entity.

This group, previously known as Katibat el Ahoual, emerged after its leader, Mohammed Benslim, broke from the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224. Dhamat Houmet Daawa Salafia is well organized and equipped with military materiel, and has engaged in terrorist activity in Algeria and internationally. It is responsible for numerous killings since the mid-1990s, and has escalated its attacks in recent years.