U.S. Sanctions Algerian Charity for Alleged Ties to Hamas Military Wing
Washington Accuses Al-Baraka Association of Diverting Humanitarian Aid to Support "Terrorist Activities" Under the Guise of Relief Work.
Watan-The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Algerian charity Al-Baraka Association for Charitable and Humanitarian Work, as part of a broader action targeting five foreign NGOs and five individuals accused of supporting Hamas’s military wing under the guise of humanitarian aid.
According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Al-Baraka, based in Algeria, was involved in redirecting funds meant for humanitarian purposes to support Hamas. The statement identified the association’s president, Ahmed Brahimi, as playing a central role. It added that some donors were unaware their contributions were allegedly being used to support Hamas’s goals, labeling it “deliberate deception as part of a global network funding designated terrorist organizations.”
These sanctions are enacted under Executive Order 13224, which allows the U.S. government to sanction individuals or entities suspected of providing material, financial, or technological support to terrorism. Other NGOs based in Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, and the West Bank were also included in this round of sanctions for alleged links to Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
U.S. Sanctions on Al-Baraka Spark Algerian Backlash Over Pro-Palestinian Aid Targeting
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender stated the move reflects America’s commitment to preventing terrorist groups from exploiting humanitarian sectors. He specifically accused Hamas and the PFLP of “using Gaza’s humanitarian crisis to fund violent operations at the expense of their own people.”
The Treasury emphasized that while organizations like Al-Baraka may appear legitimate, they “conceal their ties to designated terrorist groups” and exploit global sympathy to finance activities that violate international law. The sanctions include the freezing of all assets under U.S. jurisdiction and a ban on transactions with the designated individuals or organizations.
Al-Baraka has long been active in fundraising for relief efforts in Gaza and the West Bank, especially since the October 7, 2023 launch of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation and the ensuing Israeli assault on Gaza, which has dramatically increased humanitarian needs.
In recent months, the association has launched campaigns such as “Algeria and Palestine: One People” and “The Fulfilled Promise”, delivering food parcels, hot meals, hygiene products, and winter clothing to displaced families in shelters and hospitals. Al-Baraka also contributed medical supplies to Gaza hospitals suffering critical shortages.
The association consistently documents its work via field reports and photos, insisting its support is purely humanitarian and rooted in Algerian solidarity with Palestine, free from political manipulation.
However, the group has previously faced domestic controversy. In 2023, Ebtisam Hamlaoui, president of the Algerian Red Crescent, stated that her organization does not deal with “mercenaries and war profiteers,” widely interpreted as a veiled jab at Al-Baraka. The comment drew harsh criticism from political and civil society leaders, including Algeria’s largest Islamist party, MSP (Movement of Society for Peace), which filed a parliamentary question against her.
MP Ahmed Sadouq called her remarks “unfortunate” and said they risk being exploited by foreign powers hostile to Algeria’s pro-Palestinian stance.
As the fallout continues, many in Algeria view the sanctions as a politically motivated attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian aid efforts—especially those that have gained visibility during the war on Gaza.
