The US has designated al-Shabaab operatives and illicit charcoal smugglers ahead of the commencement of the second of the operations against al-Shabaab fighters in south-central Somalia.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted 26 individuals and entities connected with the terrorist group al-Shabaab, including 15 financial facilitators and operatives, four charcoal smugglers, and seven of their associated companies.
According to the statement, the targeted key regional leaders, affiliates, and members of the terrorist group in Somalia were involved in a wide range of activities in support of al-Shabaab, including financial facilitation, business activities, collection of funds on behalf of the terrorist group, the proliferation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and illegal charcoal smuggling from Somalia, all of which have exacerbated local conflicts and suffering.
“Today’s 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 E. Nelson. “The United States remains committed to leveraging our authorities in support of our partners, such as the Federal Government of Somalia, in their efforts to counter terrorist threats, which undermine both national and regional stability and security.”
The targeted individuals include Maxamed Siidow, a finance emir and a commander in the group’s armed wing, the Jabha; Cali Yare, another finance emir who oversees al-Shabaab’s illicit taxation operations for the village of Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle; Maxamed Dauud Gabaane, a finance emir, responsible for all al-Shabaab finance operations in Wanlaweyn District and Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle.
Others are Suleiman Abdi Daud, a finance emir, and wali (commissioner) of Beled Amin; and Mohamed Omar Mohamed, the wali of the al-Shabaab group in the Diinsor District, Bay Region, Somalia.
Mohamed has been responsible for a series of attacks targeting civilians. Mohamed was also previously the wali and Jabha commander of the Berdaale District, Bay Region.
The development comes as Somali government is in the last preparation to launch the second phase of the operations against al-Shabaab fighters in central regions.
