The United States on Friday sanctioned retired Israeli major general Israel Ziv, along with two other people, over their roles in South Sudan's civil war.
The US Treasury said in a statement that Ziv and South Sudanese businessman Obac William Olawo led entities whose efforts extended the conflict, while South Sudanese official Gregory Vasili took part in "actions that have undermined peace, stability and security."
"Ziv used an agricultural company that was nominally present in South Sudan to carry out agricultural and housing projects for the government of South Sudan as a cover for the sale of approximately $150 million worth of weapons to the government, including rifles, grenade launchers and shoulder-fired rockets," the Treasury said in its statement.
"Ziv has been paid through the oil industry and has had close collaboration with a major multinational oil firm," the statement continued.
"While Ziv maintained the loyalty of senior government of South Sudan officials through bribery and promises of security support, he has also reportedly planned to organize attacks by mercenaries on South Sudanese oil fields and infrastructure, in an effort to create a problem that only his company and affiliates could solve," it added.
The Treasury also designated three entities in Israel that are owned or controlled by Ziv: Global N.T.M. Ltd., Global Law Enforcement and Security Ltd., and Global IZ Group Ltd.
A statement issued on behalf of Ziv said, according to Kan News, “He received with surprise and astonishment the announcement of the things attributed to him. These accusations are baseless. In recent years, Ziv has been involved in extensive agricultural projects in South Sudan, which bring income and nutritional security to millions of residents in this unfortunate and conflicted country."
(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)