The United States strongly condemns today’s barbaric attacks against innocent civilians, including women and children, in northern Syria. We remain firmly committed to defeating terrorists, including ISIS and al-Qaeda, as our top priority in Syria.

We deplore any act that sustains and empowers extremists on all sides including today’s attacks, as well as forced migration, increased displacement, and all forms of violence directed against civilians in Syria.

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The Department of State has designated Tarek Sakr and Farah Mohamed Shirdon as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. As a consequence of these designations, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions or dealings with Sakr and Shirdon, and all of their property and interests in property subject to United States jurisdiction is frozen.

Tarek Sakr is a Syrian-born Canadian citizen who has conducted sniper training in Syria and periodically travels to Turkey. Sakr has been linked to the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT al-Nusrah Front, al-Qa’ida’s affiliate in Syria.

Farah Mohamed Shirdon is a Canadian citizen who travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight with the FTO and SDGT the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Shirdon is a prominent ISIS fighter and recruiter and has also been involved in fundraising.

Today’s action notifies the U.S. public and the international community that Sakr and Shirdon are actively engaged in terrorism. Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and other governments.

A list of State Department-designated FTOs and SDGTs is available here: http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/index.htm.

Identifiers:

Name: Tarek Sakr
DOB: March 14, 1987
POB: Syria
Citizenship: Canada
Location: Syria and Turkey

Name: Farah Mohamed Shirdon
AKA: Farah Shirdon
AKA: Abu Usamah
AKA: Abu Usamah Somali
AKA: Abu Usama al Somali
AKA: Abu Usamah as-Somali
DOB: April 18, 1993
POB: Toronto, Canada
Nationality: Somali
Nationality: Canadian
Location: Raqqa, Syria as of November 2015

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The Thirteenth Session of the Bilateral Consultative Commission under the United States-Russia New START Treaty was held in Geneva from March 29 to April 11.

The U.S. and Russian delegations continued the discussion of practical issues related to the implementation of the Treaty.

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On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, best wishes to the people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as they celebrate the Lao New Year.

This past year our two countries announced a Comprehensive Partnership, which opened a new era in the U.S.-Lao relationship and deepened our diplomatic, commercial and people-to-people ties. We celebrate our friendship with the Lao people and look forward to new opportunities for our two countries to work together.

Best wishes for a prosperous and joyful New Year.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, best wishes to the people of Cambodia as you celebrate the Khmer New Year.

Khmer New Year provides an opportunity to reflect on years of productive partnership between the United States and Cambodia. We have worked together to increase trade, strengthen civil society, improve health, and protect Cambodia’s natural and cultural heritage.

As you gather with family, friends, and neighbors to honor Cambodia’s rich traditions and culture, know that the United States stands with the people of Cambodia as partners and friends. Congratulations and best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.