US declares Muslim Brotherhood groups in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon as terrorists
The United States has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood’s chapters in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organisations, marking a major escalation in Washington’s stance toward the Islamist movement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Tuesday in a post on X, saying the move was aimed at protecting American security interests. “Today, we are designating the Lebanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist groups,” Rubio wrote. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States will eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters that threaten U.S. citizens and our national security.”
The designation follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump several weeks ago, directing his administration to begin the process of blacklisting the groups. The move allows the US government to impose sanctions, freeze assets under US jurisdiction and criminalise material support linked to the named organisations.
The Muslim Brotherhood has strongly rejected the decision. Salah Abdel Haq, the acting general guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, said the group “categorically rejects this designation” and would pursue legal action to challenge it.
“This decision harms millions of Muslims worldwide,” Abdel Haq said in a statement to Al Jazeera. He denied any involvement in terrorism, insisting the organisation had not directed, funded or carried out violent acts. “We deny all allegations that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood has directed, funded, provided material support for or engaged in terrorism,” he said.
Abdel Haq also suggested that external pressure influenced Washington’s move, pointing to Israel and the United Arab Emirates as key drivers behind the decision.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Islamist movement with branches and affiliated groups across the Middle East and beyond.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
