Overview
Farhad Hoomer is a U.S.-designated senior leader of ISIS, who reportedly launched the terrorist group’s operations in South Africa. On March 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Hoomer as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for serving as the leader of an ISIS network in South Africa.“Treasury Sanctions South Africa-based ISIS Organizers and Financial Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0616.
Hoomer is a South African businessman who reportedly began operating a Durban-based ISIS cell between 2017 and 2018.“Treasury Sanctions South Africa-based ISIS Organizers and Financial Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0616. His businesses span across various industries including construction, jewelry, and fashion apparel.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084.
As the leader of the ISIS cell, Hoomer provided properties and vehicles under his name to sponsor the cell’s meetings and activities.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084. Within his leadership role, Hoomer was responsible for recruiting and training cell members and was in contact with ISIS supporters throughout South Africa. Additionally, Hoomer’s activities were not limited to South Africa as he was reportedly in contact with members of ISIS-Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC).“Treasury Sanctions South Africa-based ISIS Organizers and Financial Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0616.
Hoomer was able to raise more than one million South African rand in revenue to fund his ISIS cell. The funds were reportedly gained through kidnap-for-ransom operations and the extortion of major businesses.“Counter Terrorism Designations and Designation Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220301.
Hoomer’s activities caught the attention of South African authorities, and in October 2018, Hoomer and 11 of his associates were arrested for suspected involvement in planting incendiary devices near a mosque and commercial buildings.Kailene Pillay, “KZN terror suspects accused of Woolworths bombings and deadly mosque attack free after 2-year court battle,” IOL, July 14, 2020, https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/kzn-terror-suspects-accused-of-woolworths-bombings-and-deadly-mosque-attack-free-after-2-year-court-battle-50948917; Andrew Tobin, “U.S. Treasury Designates Four ISIS Financiers in South Africa,” Long War Journal, March 7, 2022, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2022/03/u-s-treasury-designates-four-isis-financiers-in-south-africa.php. On May 10, 2018, assailants attacked the Imam Hussain Mosque, the only Shiite mosque in the Verulam neighborhood of Durban. Several men attacked worshippers, stabbing and injuring two, and fatally slitting the throat of another. Additionally, the assailants set fire to an area of the mosque. Following the attack, an undetonated incendiary device was found in the same mosque. Five similar incendiary devices were discovered in July of that year, with three being planted at a shopping center, and two having been discovered under parked cars at the popular Durban July festival.“Country Report on Terrorism 2018 - Chapter 1 - South Africa,” U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2018/#South_Africa.
Following their arrest in October 2018, the men were accused of being aligned with ISIS and were charged with attempted murder, arson, and extortion. Nivashni Nair, “Four men sanctioned in US for alleged links to 'Isis cell leader' are free in South Africa,” Sowetan Live, November 8, 2022, https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-11-08-four-men-sanctioned-in-us-for-alleged-links-to-isis-cell-leader-are-free-in-south-africa. The defendants were granted bail on November 27, 2018.“Country Report on Terrorism 2018 - Chapter 1 - South Africa,” U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2018/#South_Africa. However, on July 14, 2020, the Verulam Magistrate’s Court dismissed the case as the state did not have sufficient evidence to proceed with their case against Hoomer and his associates.Kailene Pillay, “KZN terror suspects accused of Woolworths bombings and deadly mosque attack free after 2-year court battle,” IOL, July 14, 2020, https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/kzn-terror-suspects-accused-of-woolworths-bombings-and-deadly-mosque-attack-free-after-2-year-court-battle-50948917; Andrew Tobin, “U.S. Treasury Designates Four ISIS Financiers in South Africa,” Long War Journal, March 7, 2022, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2022/03/u-s-treasury-designates-four-isis-financiers-in-south-africa.php.
Shortly after on June 25, 2021, Hoomer, Mohamad Akbar, Nufael Akbar, Tariq Hamid, and Ikkram Khan were arrested after a raid at business premises in the Mayville area of Durban. Police obtained a search warrant for the Mayville property following a lead from a burglary case. Upon their search, police discovered more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition, rifles, seven cellphones, two magazines, as well as diamonds and jewelry. The men appeared at the Durban magistrate’s court on June 28, but the charges were dropped on July 5, 2021, as the state concluded there was insufficient evidence to keep the matter on the court roll. Nivashni Nair, “Four men sanctioned in US for alleged links to 'Isis cell leader' are free in South Africa,” Sowetan Live, November 8, 2022, https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-11-08-four-men-sanctioned-in-us-for-alleged-links-to-isis-cell-leader-are-free-in-south-africa.
Given that Hoomer continues to pursue ISIS’s objectives in South Africa, on March 1, 2022, Hoomer was designated as a SDGT by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Treasury later designated Hoomer’s businesses and added them to the Specially Designated National (SDN) list on November 7, 2022.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084. The businesses included Sultans Construction CC, Ashiq Jewellers CC, Ineos Trading (PTY) LTD, and Shaahista Shoes CC.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Senior leader
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
History
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Farhad Hoomer as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on March 1, 2022.“Treasury Sanctions South Africa-based ISIS Organizers and Financial Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 1, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0616.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Sultans Construction CC, Ashiq Jewellers CC, Ineos Trading (PTY) LTD, and Shaahista Shoes CC as Specially Designated Nationals on November 7, 2022.“Treasury Designates Members of ISIS Cell in South Africa,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 7, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1084.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
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