The United States imposes sanctions against leaders of the Somali terrorist organization Al Shabaab

Oct. 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The US government has announced sanctions against the main leaders of the terrorist organization Al Shabaab, for their actions in Somalia as interlocutors with local companies for the acquisition of weapons and financing.

Washington has thus sanctioned four of the main leaders of Al Shabaab and five officers, since they would be involved in illicit networks related to arms smuggling and fundraising activities, according to a statement from the Treasury Department.

These sanctions include the blocking of the assets and entities of the persons indicated, “unless they are authorized by a license issued” by US institutions.

“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the above named persons, and any entity owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more, individually or with other persons blocked , which are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), “says the letter.

“Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the persons designated today carries the risk of secondary sanctions,” the statement added, stressing that the “ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior.”

From the Biden Administration they indicate that the terrorist group generates around 100 million dollars a year, through “multiple sources of financing, including extortion of local companies and individuals, the collection of tariffs on goods, as well as the facilitation of trade illicit”.

According to the Treasury text, US authorities are aware of Al Shabaab’s efforts to finance groups affiliated with Al Qaeda “around the world.”