U.S. Labels Muslim Brotherhood Branches In Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan As Terrorist Organisations

The United States has formally designated Muslim Brotherhood organisations in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as “terrorist” groups, signalling a major escalation in Washington’s campaign against perceived threats linked to Israel’s rivals.

“These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

“The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.”

The new measures make it illegal to provide material support to the groups. They also largely bar current and former members from entering the US and impose economic sanctions intended to cut off their revenue streams.

Founded in 1928 by Egyptian Muslim scholar Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has established branches and offshoots across the Middle East, including political parties and social organisations.

The group and its affiliates maintain that they are committed to peaceful political participation.

In Lebanon, the Muslim Brotherhood chapter, known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, holds representation in the Lebanese Parliament.

In Jordan, its political wing, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), secured 31 House of Representatives seats in the 2024 elections, despite the government banning the organisation last year over alleged links to a sabotage plot.

The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood won the country’s only democratically held presidential election in 2012. President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown a year later and died in jail in 2019.

Cairo has since outlawed the group and launched a sweeping crackdown on its leaders and members, driving the organisation underground and into exile.