US Offers Rewards for Hezbollah Leaders

On October 10, the United States offered up to $12 million for information leading to the location, arrest, or conviction of two leaders of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political party. The State Department designated the Shiite group as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997, but has not offered such rewards in the last decade.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas J. Rasmussen discussed U.S. efforts to counter Hezbollah globally and domestically at a briefing. Rasmussen outlined three recurring themes associated with Hezbollah’s history and activity. “First, Hezbollah’s use of terrorism across the globe, which has persisted for several decades. Second, the group’s continued effort to advance terrorism acts worldwide. And third, the fact that the organization is in fact focused on U.S. interests, including here in the homeland.” 

National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas J. Rasmussen briefs reporters on US efforts to counter Hezbollah. pic.twitter.com/N8FcbTFl1G

— Department of State (@StateDept) October 10, 2017

Ambassador Nathan Sales also spoke at the press briefing and announced rewards for two senior Hezbollah leaders, Talal Hamiya and Fu’ad Shukr. “Hamiya has been linked to several terrorist attacks, hijackings and kidnappings targeting U.S. citizens,” Sales said. “Shukr plays a key role in Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria and he helped plan and launch the 1983 attack on the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 of our marines,” Sales added.

.@StateDeptCT Amb. Sales: With our partners, we will confront Hezbollah across the globe & we will bring its leaders & operatives to justice pic.twitter.com/ljnyWxP1ID

— Department of State (@StateDept) October 10, 2017

Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah Key Leaders Talal Hamiyah and Fu’ad Shukr
 

The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program is offering rewards for information leading to the location, arrest, or conviction in any country of two key leaders of the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hizballah. The Department is offering a reward of up to $7 million for information on Talal Hamiyah, and up to $5 million for information on Fu’ad Shukr. 

Click here for the full announcment. 

Click here for a transcript of the briefing by National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas J. Rasmussen and Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism Nathan A. Sales on U.S. efforts to counter Hezbollah.