US deports Somali national over links to Al-Shabaab recruitment syndicate

WASHINGTON - A Somali national living in the United States has been deported over links to the Al-Shabaab recruitment syndicate, reports indicate, in one of the country's policies of fighting violent extremism through judicial means as enshrined in the constitution and international laws.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's [ICE] Enforcement and Removal Operations [ERO] Seattle announced on May 2 that they removed Omer Abdi Mohamed, a 38-year-old Somali citizen, from the United States. This is the first major deportation of a person with Al-Shabaab links.

A decade ago, Mohamed was found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and sentenced to 12 years in prison and 20 years of supervision by the U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, making it the first major landmark case involving internal terror actors within the country.

The conviction, the US said at that time, was part of the broader "Operation Rhino" investigation, which focused on the recruitment of young Somali men to fight with al-Shabaab, a terrorist group in Somalia. The operation led to the charging of approximately 18 individuals, eight of whom were convicted, US media reported.

These individuals were not only involved in fighting with the terrorist group but also in facilitating travel, providing financial support, and participating in the recruitment process. The US policy on terrorism has significantly helped the world to block their movements and even the circulation of finances.

Early this year, the US increased bounty for individuals who may help to trace Al-Shabaab's complex revenue sources which helps the group to generate over $120 million annually. While most of the money comes from taxation inform of Zakat, remittances from business owners, and ransoms, the sources are yet to be fully identified for closure.

The federal government of Somalia reported that it had closed down over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms linked to the Al-Shabaab financing syndicate, but the names were yet to be made public. Business owners were also warned against cooperating with the group.

On the military front, the US has been a key player, helping the country to recruit, train and equip the Danab Special Forces who are instrumental in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. During complex and sophisticated operations, the US Africa Command also offers aerial support through airstrikes against the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE