On November 19, 2024, Mahmoud Al Hafyan, 53, a Syrian national, was indicted in U.S. District Court for allegedly diverting over $9 million in U.S.-funded humanitarian aid to the Al-Nusrah Front (ANF), a terrorist organization affiliated with al-Qaida. The aid, intended for Syrian civilians, was redirected to ANF leaders and sold on the black market for personal gain.
Al Hafyan, also known as Abu Abdo Al-Homsi, managed a Syrian regional office of an unnamed NGO (NGO-1) that received $122 million from USAID between 2015 and 2018. This funding was intended for food kits for conflict-affected refugees. According to the indictment, Al Hafyan falsified records to inflate the number of beneficiaries and disguise the diversion of aid. Villages such as Bweiti, Lof, Mazratt-Shoukh, and Salamin were implicated in the fraudulent logs.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stated, “This defendant not only defrauded the U.S. government but also gave stolen aid to a foreign terrorist organization.” FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani emphasized the agency’s commitment to counterterrorism, underscoring the significance of this case in ensuring humanitarian aid does not fund violence.
The investigation, led by USAID’s Office of Inspector General and the FBI, represents one of the largest diversions of U.S. aid in the Syrian conflict. Al Hafyan faces 12 counts, including major fraud, but remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case highlights the challenges of delivering aid in conflict zones and the importance of oversight to ensure resources reach those in need.
