The United States (US) has blacklisted Al-Kaniyat militia and its leader Mohammed Al-Kani – who are loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar – on Wednesday under the Global Magnitsky Act for being responsible for the murder of civilians recently discovered in numerous mass graves in Tarhouna, as well as torture, forced disappearances, and displacement of civilians.

“Al-Kani and the Kaniyat militia are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and targets serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.” The US Treasury said.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that Mohamed Al-Kani and the Kaniyat militia have tortured and killed civilians during a cruel campaign of oppression in Libya.

“The United States stands with the Libyan people and will use the tools and authorities at its disposal to target human rights abusers in Libya and across the world.” The Secretary of Treasury added.

The statement also indicated that Al-Kani is designated for being or having been a leader or official of an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuse related to his tenure, explaining as well that Al-Kaniyat militia is designated for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuse”

"In April 2019, the Kaniyat militia changed allegiances from Libya’s recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), to the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), providing the LNA a foothold near Tripoli during its offensive against the Libyan capital." The statement reads.

Under the US sanctions, all property and interests in property of the persons above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50% or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of USpersons, are blocked and must be reported to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).