Shamim Mafi, 44, is accused of “brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran and sold to Sudan,” according to Bill Essayli in a post on X
U.S. federal prosecutors said Sunday that an Iranian national was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly trafficking arms to Sudan on behalf of Iran.
Shamim Mafi, 44, is accused of “brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran and sold to Sudan,” according to Bill Essayli in a post on X.
Prosecutors said Mafi, who lives in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, is an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016.
She was arrested on Saturday and could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
Authorities released images showing a woman believed to be Mafi surrounded by federal agents at the airport, along with photos of a large drone on a tarmac, an ID image, and bundles of cash.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that Sudan risks sliding into “full-scale famine and collapse” as the war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces enters its fourth year.
The UN’s top official in Sudan, Denise Brown, said the country is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, adding that the flow of weapons from external sources has worsened the conflict.
The UN has repeatedly urged foreign powers to stop fueling the war, though it has not named specific countries.
The Sudanese army is backed by countries including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and has used drones made in Turkey and Iran.
However, much of the blame has been directed at the United Arab Emirates, which denies allegations that it has supplied weapons to the RSF, a group accused of committing genocide.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep