Close partnership with Somalia degrading Al-Shabaab-US top official

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The close cooperation between the United States and Somalia has resulted in significant gains against the militant group Al-Shabaab, a top US official has said.

US Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Neil Brian Nelson said during a visit to Somalia that the US government’s sanctions regime and close working relationship with the Somali government are helping to degrade Al-Shabaab.

“I am confident and I think we are seeing that we can have a significant impact on restricting and degrading the ability of these terrorist organizations to operate here in Somalia, working together with counterparts here to identify those significant financial facilitators that are supporting Al Shabaab, “ Nelson said.

He noted that the US government’s process of designation of certain individuals is anchored in law and a rigorous review and also in partnership with the Somali government.

Following the visit, the US government announced sanctions against ISIS-Somalia senior finance official identified as Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf. The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Yusuf as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for his role in the delivery of foreign fighters and ammunition on behalf of ISIS-Somalia.