Trump to designate Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organization
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced on Sunday his intention to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Trump emphasized that the decision would be part of his broader strategy to combat terrorism and Islamist extremism globally.
The Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Islamist political and social movement founded in Egypt in 1928, has been accused by various countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, of fostering extremism and supporting political violence. The U.S. government has previously refrained from officially labeling the group as a terrorist organization, despite calls from regional allies.
Trump’s announcement is seen as a strong political move, aligning him with key regional allies who have long advocated for such a designation. Egypt’s President Abdulfattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have repeatedly expressed their desire for the U.S. to take a tougher stance on the Brotherhood, which they consider a destabilizing force in the Middle East.
The designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as an FTO would have significant legal implications. It would criminalize any support for the group or its affiliates within the U.S., and could result in sanctions against its members and organizations globally. U.S. citizens and entities would also face penalties for any financial dealings or material support to the group, potentially extending to individuals or groups with historical ties to the movement.
The potential U.S. designation would also have far-reaching diplomatic and geopolitical consequences. Many governments in the Middle East, particularly those in Turkey and Qatar, have expressed concern that such a move would weaken political Islam’s influence and further destabilize the region’s already fragile political landscape.