U.S designates 26 individus for terrorism, charcoal smuggling in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON: The U.S government has designated 26 individuals for terrorist activities and charcoal smuggling in Somalia in one of its widest net against terrorism in the Horn of Africa nation.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of Treasury announced Wednesday the listing of the individuals who include 15 financial facilitators and operatives, four Al-Shabaab charcoal smugglers and seven of their associated companies.

This action targets key regional leaders, affiliates, and members of the terrorist group in Somalia who are involved in a wide range of activities in support of al-Shabaab including financial facilitation, business activities, taxation on behalf of the terrorist group, proliferation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and illegal charcoal smuggling from Somalia, all of which have exacerbated local conflicts and suffering, OFAC said.

US under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson described the listing as a major step in the war against terrorism in Somalia.

“Today’s designations underscore this Administration’s dynamic relationship with the Somali Government to counter the terrorist threats that undermine stability and security in Somalia,” said Nelson.

OFAC said the the designated al-Shabaab-associated individuals have served as key regional leaders and members of the terrorist group in the Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, and Middle Juba regions of Somalia.

It added that individuals have been involved in extensive revenue generation and other activities in support of al-Shabaab through the illegal fee collections from local Somalis, coercing local residents to follow al-Shabaab’s directions through its illegitimate “police force,” known as the Hisbah, kidnappings, and facilitating the manufacture and placement of IEDs. The illicit activities of the al-Shabaab members designated today have generated the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars to support al-Shabaab operations and weapons procurement in southern Somalia. Amid ongoing drought, food insecurity, and violent instability, money that is being collected by al-Shabaab could instead be used to help local Somalis sustain themselves through these challenges.