State Department Targets al-Qaeda’s Yemen Affiliate

Just out from State Department press chief P.J. Crowley:

The Secretary of State has designated al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (INA). The Secretary also designated AQAP and its two top leaders Nasir al-Wahishi and Said al-Shihri under E.O. 13224. Secretary Clinton took these actions in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury. These actions prohibit provision of material support and arms to AQAP and also include immigration related restrictions that will help stem the flow of finances to AQAP and give the Department of Justice the tools it needs to prosecute AQAP members.

As Crowley explains, the next step is to get the United Nations to follow suit, so members will be obligated to “implement an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo against these entities.”