The hunt for 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden ended in his assassination by U.S. Special Forces in May 2011. Now the State Department has expanded its terror watch list to include his son, Hamza bin Laden, according to a Thursday press release.
As a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist," the State Department has categorized bin Laden's son as a foreign person who has committed acts of terrorism, or poses a threat to the security interests of the United States.
Swore revenge
In July 2016, al-Qaida released an audio message in which Hamza bin Laden swore revenge for his father's killing. His current whereabouts are unknown, but he was last reported to be under house arrest in Iran.
As a result of this designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Hamza bin Laden has any interest is blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging with any activity with him.
.@StateDept designates Hamza bin Laden as Specially Designated Global #Terrorist under E.O. 13224 → https://t.co/Ow6z2k9Tki pic.twitter.com/MJ59ya6UHW
— State Dept CT Bureau (@StateDeptCT) January 5, 2017
Pete Souza/ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Obama and top aides watch a live feed of the raid in Pakistan to confront the former head of al-Qaeda on May 2, 2011.
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