US sanctioned Yemeni firm denies affiliation with Al-Qaeda

A Yemeni money exchange firm yesterday denied its involvement in funding Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is considered one of the most dangerous Al-Qaeda branches in the world, the National newspaper reported. The US Treasury sanctioned the firm on Tuesday for allegedly facilitating AQAP’s financial transactions across Yemen.

In a statement, Al-Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange dismissed the accusations as being fabricated. One of the owners, Said Al-Omgy has insisted that the Yemeni government must demand that the US clarifies the evidence behind the accusations.

The treasury has also accused the money exchange firm of pledging 10 per cent of its profits to the terrorist organisation.

Sanctions were also imposed on the two founders of the company, Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh Al-Omgy and Mohammed Salih Abd-Rabbuh Al-Omgy. Mohammed is suspected to be a member of Al-Qaeda.

The UAE’s Central Bank has also begun taking steps to freeze the company’s financial transactions within the Emirates.