UAE puts 21 Lebanese citizens, organizations on terror list over alleged Hezbollah ties

The UAE has branded 21 Lebanese people and organizations as “terrorists,” ordering the freezing of their assets, as it accused them of ties to Hezbollah, the official Emirati news agency reports.

The United Arab Emirates, home to a large Lebanese community, was the main target of Iranian missile and drone attacks during the regional war sparked by US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

The WAM agency publishes the names of 16 Lebanese nationals and five organizations that have been put on a list of supporters of groups designated as terror organizations.

“The United Arab Emirates has designated 21 individuals and entities on its Local Terrorist List over their links to Lebanon’s Hezbollah,” the agency says.

“All regulatory authorities are required to identify any individuals or entities connected through financial or commercial relationships with those listed, and to take the necessary measures in line with the applicable laws in the UAE, including freezing assets within less than 24 hours.”

In March, Abu Dhabi announced the arrest of five members of what it said was a “terrorist network” linked to Hezbollah and its backer Iran aiming to threaten the UAE’s financial stability.

The Lebanese terror group denied having any presence inside the UAE.