Washington, Jan 21, 2022, SPA -- The U.S. Department of Treasury today designated the terrorist Hezbollah-affiliated financial facilitator Adnan Ayad, as well as members of an international network of facilitators and companies connected to him and to Adel Diab, Ayad’s business partner and fellow Hezbollah financier. Diab was designated on January 18 of this year. The Department announced in a statement that "Adnan Ayad, Jihad Adnan Ayad, Ali Adel Diab, and 10 companies are designated under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists, leaders, and officials of terrorist groups, and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, among others." "These financial facilitators have helped terrorist Hezbollah obtain funds through networks of companies that disguise themselves as legitimate businesses. The sanctions evasion efforts of those designated today are a stark example of how Hezbollah abuses the international financial system to fund its acts of terrorism and illicit activities." For its part, the U.S. Department of State confirmed in a statement issued in this regard that the efforts to evade sanctions by those identified today are a blatant example of how the terrorist Hezbollah has violated the international financial system to fund its terrorist and illegal activities. The United States of America is committed to disrupting terrorist Hezbollah's illicit activity, including attempts to evade sanctions through business networks. Hezbollah's actions threaten the security, stability, and sovereignty of the Lebanese people. --SPA 23:46 LOCAL TIME 20:46 GMT 0029 www.spa.gov.sa/w1681419