Targeting Al-Shabaab Terrorists
The United States continues to target the terrorist group al-Shabaab – one of al-Qaida’s most dangerous affiliates, which has killed thousands of people, including Americans, in Somalia and across East Africa.
The State Department recently designated five al-Shabaab leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The first is named Maxamed Siidow, a finance emir and commander in the group’s armed wing, the Jabha. Siidow oversees illicit taxation operations in Aliyow Barrow in the Lower Shabelle, Somalia. He has also led al-Shabaab fighters in attacks and participated in attack planning operations utilizing improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Cali Yare is a finance emir who oversees al-Shabaab’s illicit taxation operations for the village of Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle. Yare directed and claimed responsibility for the November 14, 2018, IED attack on Somali Armed Forces.
Maxamed Dauud Gabaane is a finance emir, responsible for all al-Shabaab finance operations in Wanlaweyn District and Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle. Gabaane also serves as the head of the group’s intelligence wing, the Amniyat, in Wanlaweyn District.
Suleiman Cabdi Daoud is a finance emir, and commissioner of Beled Amin. Daoud also oversees al-Shabaab’s illicit taxation operations in Lower Shabelle, responsible for collecting religious taxation from villagers. He assists in overseeing an al-Shabaab “court” that stores fines collected from civilians in the region.
Mohamed Omar Mohamed is the commissioner of the al-Shabaab group in the Diinsor District, Bay Region, Somalia, and has been responsible for a series of attacks targeting civilians.
The Department of the Treasury concurrently designated 15 al-Shabaab financial facilitators and operatives, four charcoal smugglers, and seven of their associated companies.
As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property of those designated that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.
These “designations highlight al-Shabaab’s reliance on networks of regional and international actors and entities, who provide funds, direct attacks, and enable the group’s malign activities, including the manufacturing and planting of explosives in local communities and fostering corruption,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.
The United States remains committed to helping the Somali government fight the al-Shabaab terrorist threat, which undermines both national and regional stability and security.
Source » voa
