RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) has announced joint designations against 15 individuals involved with the terrorist group al-Shabaab in Somalia. These individuals have been linked to activities such as fundraising and the proliferation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The TFTC, established in May 2017, is a collaborative effort between the United States and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Its goal is to counter terrorist financing through shared actions, sharing critical information, and conducting capacity-building workshops.
“Al-Shabaab continues to terrorize and extort the Somali people," stated Treasury’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Anna Morris. She emphasized the importance of TFTC member states working together to disrupt al-Shabaab's financial networks.
In cooperation with the United States, GCC partners are taking coordinated actions to affect individuals identified for their roles in supporting al-Shabaab activities. These roles include financial facilitation, collection of funds, business activities, and spreading IEDs.
Key figures including Hasaan Abshir Xuuroow and Aadan Yusuf Saciid Ibrahim have been identified for compelling local Somalis to make contributions to al-Shabaab. Xuuroow is known for taking livestock as donations, while Ibrahim has enforced charges related to livestock and market sales.
Other notable members include Mumin Dheere and Macalin Burhan, linked to operational planning against Somali and African Union forces, and enforcement of al-Shabaab's authority, respectively. Leaders such as Ali Ahmed Hussein and Maxamed Cali play crucial roles in supporting the group's militant operations.
The U.S. and GCC efforts aim to disrupt the capacities of al-Shabaab by hindering their access to international financial systems and maintaining pressure on terrorist activities in the region.
