In a major step towards combating the global menace of terrorism, the US Treasury Department has designated Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, the leader of the Daesh terrorist organisation based in Somalia, as a global terrorist.
This move signifies the commitment of the United States in its fight against the spread of extremist ideologies and the threat they pose to international security.
The US government has accused Yusuf of playing a pivotal role in facilitating the recruitment of foreign fighters, as well as the transportation of supplies and ammunition on behalf of the terrorist group. It is believed that Yusuf is instrumental in channelling funds and providing guidance to Daesh branches and networks across the African continent. By designating him as a global terrorist, the US aims to disrupt the financial networks that support these extremist activities and prevent their further expansion.
The Daesh-affiliated terrorist group in Somalia is known to finance its operations through extortion, primarily targeting local communities for monetary contributions and recruitment purposes. These communities are often subjected to threats of violence, creating an environment of fear and coercion. With this in mind, the US Treasury Department has taken this significant step to cut off the financial lifeline of these terrorist organisations, rendering them less capable of carrying out their nefarious activities.
Brian Nelson, the Under-Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasised the importance of countering terrorist financing and strengthening national and regional stability in collaboration with partner nations. He stated, “Terrorist groups, and ISIS-Somalia specifically, seek to exploit institutional vulnerabilities to finance their activities. The sanctions imposed today demonstrate the US commitment to leveraging our authorities in support of our partners, including the Federal Government of Somalia, in their efforts to counter terrorist financing and strengthen national and regional stability and security.”
To further solidify this commitment, Nelson met with President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud of Somalia during his visit to the capital city, Mogadishu. Their discussions centred around Somalia-US cooperation in countering the financing of terrorism, debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPIC) program, and the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab, another notorious terrorist group operating in the region.
Earlier this year, an airstrike conducted by the US resulted in the death of Suhayl Salim Abd El-Rahman, also known as Bilal Al-Sudani, the leader of Daesh in Somalia. This extremist group is active in the mountainous Bari region and has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.
Recognizing the threat posed by Daesh in Somalia, the US State Department designated them as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2018. Furthermore, sanctions were imposed on their weapons trafficking network and senior members of the organisation.
Insecurity has long plagued Somalia, with both Al-Shabaab and Daesh posing significant dangers. The United Nations has consistently warned about growing insecurity within the country. Last year alone, there were numerous attacks carried out by these terrorist groups, resulting in a devastating toll of casualties.
According to estimates from the UN, terror attacks in Somalia claimed the lives of at least 651 individuals and injured 867 others in 2018. These numbers have unfortunately remained high throughout 2019 as well.
