Money- Laundering Everywhere, Especially in Syria Through Terrorism

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                  

Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) is the president of Syria. He assumed the presidency on January 29, 2025, following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, which was toppled by rebel forces led by Sharaa’s former group, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.  Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a Sunni Islamist political and militant organization in Syria. Originally founded in 2017 as a merger of several armed groups , it historically emerged from the al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. Today, HTS acts as a dominant governing and transitional power in the region. Since its formation, HTS has transitioned from a transnational Salafi-jihadist group into a more localized de facto governing authority in northwestern Syria, " for appearances sake.  Al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria is largely maintained through localized affiliates and splinter factions, following the dissolution and international delisting of its former primary proxy, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Today, hardline groups allied with al-Qaeda operate primarily in the Idlib province, maintaining a persistent focus for international counterterrorism operations .ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is a transnational Salafi-jihadist terrorist organization . Operating as an insurgent network since its territorial "caliphate" collapsed, the group has recently seen a decline in overall attacks in Syria. However, it continues to pose a persistent regional and global security threat

 While ISIS attacks in Syria have reached some of their lowest historical points, the group’s sleeper cells remain highly active, periodically carrying out localized attacks, kidnappings, and bombings. Leadership Strikes: The U.S. military and Global Coalition partners frequently target the group's leadership. Recent operations by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have eliminated key high-ranking operatives in northwest and eastern Syria.Detainee Crisis: A massive ongoing challenge in the region involves tens of thousands of detained ISIS fighters and affiliated individuals (mostly women and children) who remain in camps and prisons.CENTCOM Operations: U.S. military forces regularly advise, assist, and conduct tactical raids with regional partners—such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Ministry of Interior—to destroy ISIS weapons caches and disrupt plotting. The Syrian security apparatus has launched numerous raids and successfully intercepted large-scale ISIS plots . Syria has also joined the Global Coalition Against ISIS . Ideology: Rooted in extreme violence, the group seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate and enforce a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law. Origins: The group evolved from al-Qaeda in Iraq and capitalized on the Syrian Civil War to expand its territory before being driven out of overt strongholds in 2019. 

Trump is showing his change of taste in people he views as partners.  His favorites are the Iranian faction  that's been the ruling party for the past 40 some years while ignoring Prince Reza Pahlavi who is aiding and abetting the youthful people of Iran who are rebelling.  He also favors Jolani, former terrorist who has taken the position of President of Syria, the one the people dislike the most for his background shows up in his governing.  He says he admires Jolani because he can control people.  Anyone can  using terrorist techniques.  

"Trump declared that officially, furthermore his rule is very simple and clear, his interest in MONEY LAUNDRY. To trump and his people of interest, this is like his dummy offshore companies in Panama and some Cannery Islands, that are being run by Syrian individuals like Mohammad Hamshou and his nephews Al-Khayat Brothers. These ae Syrians who lived for more than 13 years in Qatar and came back to Syria as investors after the fall of Al-Assad regime."

"All this SO CALLED INVESTMENTS IN SYRIA are nothing but money laundry for Trump and Erdogan of Turkey and some families in the gulf region. Also I think that Israel knows this, And Al-Julani knows everything about ISIS (Leaders, Structure, Places) Al-Julani was and still ISIS.

Right now ISIS leaders exist in Al-Julani government as ministers and key officials and the CIA knows this, but it's all about money and interests and Israel knows this for sure. Iran war is nothing but interests and a play orchestrated by Trump to make money... I hope you believe believe this and make your research to know more"

Where ISIS is mentioned, USA reporters had another terrorist group mentioned, al Qaeda. To USA, ISIS was an even worse head-cutting group that they had fought against. Perhaps they are all under the umbrella of ISIS today.

Syrian business tycoon Muhammad Hamsho (right) signs a financial settlement with the new Syrian government in a picture posted by Hamsho to his personal Facebook page, 6/1/2026 (Facebook)

PARIS — Last week, internationally sanctioned Syrian businessman Muhammad Saber Hamsho completed a financial settlement with the country’s new government, a step he described as “opening a new chapter, without engaging in any debates or discussions related to previous stages.”

“We believe that Syria is moving toward a new phase defined by hope, work and building the future, through positive cooperation with state institutions, relevant authorities and the private sector in a way that serves the interests of the country and its people,” Hamsho wrote in a January 6 post on his personal Facebook page. 

Hamsho praised what he called Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s “wise policy” of “closing the past chapter and opening new horizons based on stability, joint efforts, and national unity.” al-Sharaa was Jolani during his belonging to terrororist organizations.  

The Al-Khayyat brothers (Moutaz, Ramez, and Mohamad) are Syrian-born Qatari billionaire businessmen who control Power International Holding (PIH), one of the Gulf region's largest conglomerates. Their empire is valued at over $7 billion, spanning construction (UCC Holding), tourism, healthcare (Estithmar Holding), and agriculture (Baladna dairy).

Core Business Empire

• UCC Holding: One of the Middle East's top international contractors , responsible for massive regional infrastructure including the Mall of Qatar and Banana Island .
• PIH & Estithmar: The family controls significant cross-border real estate assets in London's Mayfair and Knightsbridge districts .
• Baladna: A massive dairy and food producer that rose to prominence during the 2017 Gulf embargo and has since expanded globally . 

Global Expansion & Reconstruction

The brothers have successfully expanded their corporate footprint beyond the Gulf: 

• Syria: They have secured over $12 billion in contracts to rebuild war-torn Syria, which includes spearheading a massive $4 billion redevelopment of the Damascus airport and investing in banking and energy. 
• Africa: They are aggressively bidding for mega infrastructure projects, including competing for Ethiopia’s planned mega-airport and eyeing major highway developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Corporate Leadership

• Moutaz Al-Khayyat: Serves as the Chairman of PIH, Estithmar Holding, and UCC Holding, overseeing the group's strategic investments. 
• Ramez Al-Khayyat: Operates as the President and Group CEO of PIH and Vice Chairman of Estithmar Holding, managing daily operations and global expansion. 
• Mohamad Al-Khayyat: Serves as a founding brother, playing a vital role in spearheading regional business operations and international investments. 

Resource:

https://syriadirect.org/sanctioned-syrian-tycoon-hamsho-eyes-a-new-chapter-after-financial-settlement/

Syrian Reporter Omram al Alabi