US adds sweeping new sanctions on IS

The United States takes aim at the Islamic State jihadist group with 35 terror and sanctions designations targeting new IS affiliates, three French nationals and four Britons.

The broad list also includes groups and individuals from Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and other countries — a move which US officials say demonstrates the global threat the group poses.

“It’s a problem that the global community faces… it’s a problem that we all share,” says a senior official in the administration of President Barack Obama, insisting on anonymity.

The announcement comes as dozens of international leaders gather Tuesday for a summit focusing on the IS threat, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

The designations add 15 individuals and groups to the State Department’s official “designated global terrorist” list, and include two groups which have recently pledged loyalty to IS.

— AFP