US to sanction 'special suicide' in Algeria

The U.S. Department of State designated on Wednesday Algerian citizen Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

"As a result of the designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which al-Anabi has any interest is blocked," the State Department said in a statement, "U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with him or to his benefit."

Al-Anabi is a member of the Algerian al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He is the leader of AQIM's Council of Notables and serves as the organization's media chief, said the statement.

Last month, Algerian troops launched a wide scale dragging operation in the eastern province of Jijel as part of anti-terrorism fight. A senior leader of an armed group linked to AQIM and his assistant were killed in during the operation.

Source: XINHUA