Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has identified a Hizbullah project to develop unmanned aerial vehicles.

The U.S. Treasury Department has asserted that Hizbullah was using Lebanese companies to develop the military of the Iranian-backed Shi’ite movement. Treasury said the Beirut-based Stars Group Holding was procuring material for Hizbullah to build UAVs.

“With disturbing reach far beyond Lebanon, Hizbullah’s extensive
procurement networks exploit the international financial system to enhance
its military capabilities in Syria and its terrorist activities worldwide,”
Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen said.

In a statement on July 10, Treasury said Stars Group purchased electronics and other technology. Treasury also said engines and guidance systems were used in unspecified Hizbullah UAVs, including those flown over Israel and Syria.

“Items obtained by Hizbullah using the Stars Group Holding network have
directly supported the group’s military capabilities, including the
development of unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been used most recently
to support Hizbullah’s military activities in Syria and to conduct
surveillance operations in Israel,” Treasury said.

Treasury designated the owners of Stars Group, Kamel and Issam Ahmaz.
The sanctions banned Americans from engaging with the Ahmaz brothers and
their company. Another target for sanctions was identified as the alleged
Hizbullah liaison with Stars Group, Hanna Khalifeh, also a Lebanese
businessman.

Officials said Stars Group procured engine, communications, electronics
and navigation from China and the United Arab Emirates. They said Hizbullah
also acquired components from Canada, Europe and the United States for UAVs
and other projects.

“These individuals and entities have relied on false end-user
certificates, mislabeled air waybills, and other fraudulent methods to avoid
export restrictions and otherwise conceal Hizbullah as the ultimate end-user
or beneficiary of these goods,” Treasury said.

  David Cohen, Stars Group Holding, U.S. Treasury: Hizbullah using Lebanon firms to build military drones